BS: Fake News

Subject: RE: BS: Fake News
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 16 Dec 16 - 09:00 AM

You can meet the challenge of getting accurate news by adopting several strategies. First, approach information in an objective, non-partisan, open-minded way. Otherwise you will get only the news that you want to hear. Second, avoid tendentious-minded sources. Websites run by lobbies and pressure groups, or which you know to be excessively right- or left-wing, or by one political strand out of many, can be relied on to provide very lopsided news. Third, learn how to spot tabloidism. There was a headline in the Mail a couple of days ago that referred to "arch-remoaner Ben Bradshaw." That guarantees two things: a biased report coming up, and a report that mixes news with comment. If you see that it should disqualify that paper permanently in your mind as a reliable source. Fourth, newspapers and telly news bulletins have a limited amount of space/time. Someone has to decide what's in or out, how much should be given to each item and in what order they are presented. The only round this is to look at as many different sources as possible of the kinds that have jumped through the hoops described in points one to three.

In other words, use your brain. Accept nothing without evidence and/or corroboration. Healthy scepticism is a wonderful thing. And don't automatically diss a source that you disagree with. It's quite likely that it's you who's wrong.

Subject: RE: BS: Fake News
From: beardedbruce
Date: 16 Dec 16 - 08:50 AM

Mr Shaw,

The MSM has been reporting that all these incidents are caused by people encouraged by Trump.

It seems to me these specific reports would say that there are a number of reported incidents performed by those who are trying to make Trump look bad. Yet attempts to point this out are met with scorn and abuse.

Subject: RE: BS: Fake News
From: beardedbruce
Date: 16 Dec 16 - 08:46 AM

Agreed, Iains.



Too bad too many here will not discuss things, but only attack those they disagree with.

Subject: RE: BS: Fake News
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 16 Dec 16 - 08:43 AM

Your thread title is fake. Both news items are true. The fake bits are not the news but the made-up stories that the news truthfully reported.

Subject: RE: BS: Fake News
From: Iains
Date: 16 Dec 16 - 08:43 AM

If there was no fake news most of the discussions on this forum would have nothing to say. Both the mainstream and alternative media spray false narratives like confetti.
   The challenge faced by all is trying to determine where the real truth lies. Just who, if anyone, can be believed?

Subject: BS: Fake News
From: beardedbruce
Date: 16 Dec 16 - 08:38 AM

There has been a lot of talk about "fake news" and how the evil Conservatives are twisting the facts. Perhaps a more balanced look would show that BOTH sides have been acting in this manner, and perhaps Liberals need to look at what they are being told, as well.




http://finance.yahoo.com/news/nypd-muslim-teenager-reported-harassment-230401800.html


http://www.businessinsider.com/trump-election-win-racial-incidents-2016-11

"Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect that the student at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette admitted to fabricating her claims. "