Top Sources of News and Information
No one should underestimate the power and influence of social media. Social Media outlets frame their news in a specific way geared towards the interest of their audience. Apps like Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat provide a quick, easy, and efficient way of keeping up to date with current information. However, like every news outlet, you have to be aware of biases and false information. Nowadays, every company and news outlet tends to sway either left or right. That is one of the major problems with today's media. Media should be designed to provide the facts so the people can form their own opinions without being swayed one way or another. In addition, it is important to be aware of social media trolls and bots regardless of what or where you get your news and information. Moreover, as a part of Gen-Z, I hate to admit it or believe it, but social media has taken over my life, as well as everyone else’s. For most people, scrolling our smart devices is the very first and very last thing we do each day, along with all of the hours in between. Furthermore, I've grown up with the evening news playing casually in the background of family dinner, but my mother banned my father from ever having the newspaper in the house in avoidance of “clutter”. In other words, everyone’s preferences on how they stay up to date with news is different. Life is hectic, and as sad as it is, most people struggle to find the time to sit down at the dinner table or read the newspaper with a cup of coffee in the morning. As a current college-athlete, my days are jam-packed. I no longer have time to listen to the evening news as I eat dinner. Time is limited, but social media has made it possible for me to keep up with news and information no matter where or what I am doing. Social Media apps like Instagram, Snapchat, and twitter give us instant insight to the world around us at times most convenient to us. I prefer using social media to get my news and information because I can understand significant events and topics in a quick and effective manner.
The following are my top sources of Information and I highly recommend looking into them!
From Fox News, to NBC, to the Journalist herself.
Fox News’s provides an alleged conservative perspective. Nowadays, people naturally tend to listen to sources that support their point of view. Furthermore, I grew up watching Fox News. Although it is what I am most familiar with, I have paid more attention over the years and have decided for myself, not just based on my parents opinions, that I agree with how they present news. That was until seeing the movie Bombshell, a film which exploits the sexual harassment allegations at Fox News. See the link below for more information about the film https://time.com/5748267/bombshell-true-story-fox-news/. Both an extremely successful lawyer and journalist, Megyn Kelly was featured in TIME magazine as one of the top 100 most influential people in the world. Yet despite being the face of Fox News, she spoke up against the sexual harassment she faced by Roger Ailes. She risked her career for justice not only for herself, but all of the other women who were impacted by his inexcusable actions. As an aspiring journalist myself, I look up to her not only for her credentials, such as receiving her BA from Syracuse and JD from Albany Law, but specifically her strength. I have immense respect for her which is why I chose to follow NBC News when she switched networks. But overall, I believe that it is even more important to find a journalist you respect and trust rather than a network. In my opinion I think that networks are too influenced by money and authority to report the whole truth.
Instagram is an American photo and video sharing social networking service owned by Facebook. Instagram appeals to a younger generation, typically ranging from teens to twenties. I prefer to use instagram as one of my top sources of getting information because of the ability to choose who and what I follow. As a social 19 year old who is active on social media, getting the latest news and information from instagram is extremely convenient for me. One of Instagram’s best features is the ability to see my “friends” news. Instagram allows me to not only keep up with events on the global and national level, but on a personal level as well. I am able to see what my friends are up to based on what they post and tag. A lot of times people use instagram to promote their beliefs on certain issues. For example, many people posted black screens in honor of the BLM protests. See https://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/blackout-tuesday-instagram-was-teachable-moment-allies-me-ncna1225961 for further details. In addition, Instagram profiles are not solely for the individual. Organizations have profiles as well that are great learning tools, providing information about products, current news, and how to get more involved in certain causes. This contributes to becoming educated on current news, which can result in mature conversations with others who have different opinions.
Snapchat
The news can be dark. Reports of devastation and loss are often what takes up the front pages of the newspaper or makes headlines on television. Sometimes we need a break from all of the devastation and need something lighter on our hearts and minds. Furthermore, Snapchat is a great way to stay up to date with the entertainment world. Snapchat news is light-hearted, convenient, quick, and to the point. It is nice to escape the heat of political news by learning about interesting and entertaining news stories. Another great aspect of Snapchat is that you can subscribe to certain subscriptions. Some popular ones include, WatchMojo, Cosmopolitan, and MTV. These outlets can spark creativity and distract us from depressing news.
Twitter is an American microblogging and social networking service on which users post and interact with messages known as "tweets". Users vary from the typical high schooler to the President of the United States. Twitter allows for information to be spread quickly and efficiently with a large number of people. Almost 500 individual tweets are sent in every single day according to https://www.intelligencefusion.co.uk/insights/resources/article/top-30-most-followed-news-accounts-on-twitter/. It is exceptional for breaking news and you can view and share personal experience or knowledge on current events. Twitter features current news stories that include tweets from news outlets as well as individuals. Twitter is unique because not only does it share current news, it allows real people to share their own experiences with the rest of the world, creating a community feel.
The New York Times
The New York Times is known for its excellence in world news. Their mission is to give people the truth, regardless of the consequences. Moreover, the media is meant to serve its citizens, not the government. I have so much respect for the New York Times because of the Pentagon Papers. In the New York Times Co. v. United States, the Supreme Court decided to defend the First Amendment right of free press against prior restraint by the government. Furthermore, The Pentagon Papers dealt with the unconstitutionality of government censorship and set the stage for other news outlets to share the truth without fear of the government, which is exactly why the New York Times is one of my top sources of information.
The following link is a great source regarding more information on the Pentagon Papers case. https://www.mtsu.edu/first-amendment/article/505/new-york-times-co-v-united-states
It is important to remember that although social media provides a quick overview of a topic, in order to become super educated on a topic you must conduct thorough research from multiple news outlets.
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