Receiving, believing, and spreading sensationalized news articles can weaken democracy and increase the growing polarization we see in the U.S. today. In fact, sources show that polarization between liberals and conservatives is in large part due to significant variation in news network reporting. This variation is attributed to networks that focus on gaining influence rather than delivering credible information for citizens to create their own opinions. This then creates a pattern where viewers seek reassurance rather than information. In return, this creates a focus on division, a lack of trust in news outlets, the spread of conspiracy theories, and many Americans focusing on one centralized outlet.
The irony is that we have access to more information and insights now than ever. The importance of unbiased news cannot be emphasised enough as a basis for democracy.
Context: The Shift of Traditional Media
Before the rise of digital media and technological platforms, news was delivered through centralized and one-way communication platforms such as newspapers, books, and radio. New media encompasses platforms such as social media, blogs, and podcasts, all of which we are familiar with nowadays. The impact of the new media has reached a global scale, with people around the world receiving news information from “untraditional” sources. Alongside this, new media has the upper hand in leveraging its data and analytics to reach a more targeted audience than traditional media ever did. Today, more sources of information are accessible, but there is a risk of misinformation spreading more widely than ever before
Quality Assurance of a News Source
Assessing a news source and understanding its intentions will shape which news sources one may find reliable. Many forms of digital content compete for a user’s attention, including politically driven blogs and suspect “news” websites. This is why initiating a certain standard in the news you consume is essential.
First and foremost, when consuming news information, take a closer look at your source. Research them! Figuring out the motivations behind a source can reveal if there is a certain push to put their news stories out there. Understanding and accessing the same information in different digital domains (e.g. on a website, on TV, on social media) is important as it often suggests reliability. If you can only find a headline on Facebook, it probably isn’t true!
Alongside this, evaluate the writer’s credentials and experience in writing on the topic. Are they someone who has covered similar issues in the past? Have they written for credible sources? Do they have a background in journalism? It is also essential to recognize if a source has attempted to report on all sides of the matter, including seeking quotes or information from the opposition. The news being assessed must include a variety of perspectives and sources verifying those perspectives. In taking these steps, you are closer to guaranteeing that the news consumed is not biased but affirmed by various other sources.
No Unbiased News
An important note in understanding a source’s reliability is that perfectly “unbiased news” does not exist, although it is often the goal of journalism. An outlet can be third-party-verified, open about its funding, and clear in its approach, but still, people are biased whether conscious of it or not. For example, “biased by omission” is a common and essential term in journalism, in which certain material or facts are left out of the published news source, hence making a narrative seem stronger. This type of bias is often not done with intent, but rather a result of having a perspective on an issue. Bias can also be present in the selection of sources and stories used. Various new media charts exist to give readers a sense of where their new source leans, from left to right extremism. Even if your news sources lean towards the center, one media source is not a valid option for accessing facts—always find an array of sources to validate the news information you’re consuming!
Our Focus at ACE
At ACE, our goal is to be a source of reliable information that allows all sides of the story to be heard. With our platform, our goal is to stem conversation and fuel knowledge, all while being intentionally non-partisan. We value input from our readers, and invite you to fill out the short survey at the end of our policy articles to tell us if you perceive a bias in our work! Above all, our goal is to equip potential voters with easy-to-understand, unbiased information so they can make the decisions they see fit at the ballot box. By prioritizing nonpartisanship, we seek to combat polarization, renew trust in policy outlets, and empower Americans to become civically engaged.