It always amazes me how many folks don’t read newspapers. But, then again, when I travel to places like Podunk, USA and see the local paper, I cringe. But, even in those locations, you can read the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, the Washington Post, and/or USA Today (which has better than average business and sports coverage) -but it is not among the normal practices.
And, when I hear folks tell me they get their news from TV- I really cringe. Local news tells you how many people got killed, has an accident, whatever- anything but important news. Yet, that’s where most folks get their news. (Since I first penned this [been in the queue for 17 days], my pal, Tor Constantino, has been publishing about the contrivances of TV news.) With, the second most common place to obtain information- word of mouth – which is really rumor!
I am not inventing this! The Pew Research Center just published these results today (the day this piece was written). A survey of some 2251 people was the basis for this data (reaching both cell phone and landline users). Of them, 75% said they get their news at least once a week from the TV. 55% got their data from word-of-mouth, 51% via radio, 50% from the newspapers, and 47% from the internet (another “rumor” like source).
The Local TV stations provide the three potboilers- weather, politics, and crime, as well as breaking news. But, if someone is interested in business, government, culture-TV is not the “go-to” media (unless one is 40+); that where other sources get into the act.
Newspapers (whether one buys the print edition or searches them online) was either solely in the top rank or tied for the top rank in most of the categories (government, cultural events, schools, and housing, among others). But. about 70% told the surveyors they would not be overly upset if their local papers were no longer available. And, for those under 40, the internet surpasses the influence of newspapers. And, everyone uses the internet to scope our restaurants and other local businesses (tied with newspapers for housing, jobs, and schools).
And, all that is well and good. But, getting your news- real, cold, hard facts- needs to be sourced from reliable vendors. Agencies that, at their base, stand behind their data, employing integrity to report and analyze the facts. That’s where the reliability (as in you can rely upon them) of the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, the Washington Post, and USA Today comes into play.
Read a newspaper today (and every day). Become informed. Make decisions based upon facts.
Roy,
I used to be such a news-junkie. Not only did I have the paper delivered to my house, I would read it, I love the paper but then again I love ‘real’ books too 😉 Sadly the quality of news is just getting lower and lower. I rarely read a paper or watch local or national news. I get most of my news via the radio now.
I use the radio (could be immediate), several newspapers (slight lag), and a few journals (these are never contemporaneous).
Then, hopefully, I can make a reliable determination, Elise.
R
Wow! Those are amazing and troubling stats Roy – thanks for the perspective and insight! Tweeted!
I’m in accord, Tor!
Now, how do we change it?
Real news? I admit I’m not a fan of it from any source. The reality is that a lot of it is slanted. People tend to report things as they want them to appear or as they see things. I can go on and on about “facts” I’ve learned and later found out were false. If you read the news (online or paper) it’s best to use your instincts to judge if it rings true, no matter what the source. I do like the idea of following certain reporters you can trust that can remain impartial,
I agree with you that reading is preferable to TV. What can you really learn from a two minute “story”?
Thanks, Roy!
Sherrie
That’s why we need multiple sources, Sherrie. It’s getting even worse than those eyewitnesses that are used in court. (Data shows they are highly unreliable.)
Roy
I rarely read the paper. I do tend to get my news from friends who listen to NPR or BBC radio. Or read the paper, usually online.
I feel guilty for my lack. I know I am not as informed as I should be. Now I just have to figure out how to fix it. I, mean, I know I should just read a few newspapers, but it’s getting around to that’s the problems.
Anyway, thanks for this post!
Melinda-
I listen to BBC and NPR and the occasional snippet from a 24 hour news radio station. (Business on the 5’s)
Thanks for your thoughts. The key point is to stay informed- so we can grow our business and insure government at least tries to improve our lives.
Roy
I haven’t read print newspapers for a long time, and rarely put the TV on at all, but I do have my top broadsheets rss feeds on google chrome and check through the news every other day (lots to skim! read a few in detail) but after all the scandals with UK media (including some bigger more ‘respectable’ sources) I worry about the content of even these nowadays – what is a ‘reliable’ source in truth, it’s only as reliable as the person writing and then only from their perspective, most ‘news’ is reported in an ‘opinion’ style nowadays… not the most factual, truthful portrayal of events we really need… :/
The problem with broadsheets, Sharon, is that there is no editorial integrity. As you said- reliability is the issue. So, you have to read even more of the broadsheets to discern what is or is not fact…
Thanks for your perspective.
Roy
Hi Roy, I believe you were talking about my town when you mentioned Podunk USA. I hate reading the news. My husband gets the Wall Street Journal and I skim over some of it. I end up getting most of my news from the radio. I NEVER watch the TV news – I find it depressing and often times, just plain stupid. I know I should read more, but I need more than 3 hours of sleep at night and finding the time to read a huge paper at this time in my life just isn’t going to work. Maybe when the kids are in college! This is a very interesting post, by the way, thank you for the information! Suerae
Oh, Suerae, there are plenty of Podunks across this great world. And, I have had the opportunity to spelunk among many of them…
And, TV news- it’s mostly about the murders, robberies, and car crashes of the day. Not quite the “news” that helps me make informed decisions.
Thanks for your comments… And, you will find new items to occupy your time as the children migrate to and through college. (Why do you think Cialis advertises the way it does?)
Roy