Week 3: Checkpoint - Taking a Position

    A newspaper can be a credible source depending both on the newspaper, and on the section that is being used.  Some newspapers have a definite bias both in their reporting, and in how the stories are presented.  On the other hand the Wall Street Journal and New York Times typically do a fairly good job of presenting the issue.  Sections such as the editorial area should be avoided because they tend to contain too much bias, regardless of the publication.  Journalistic integrity is important to this medium, but it is notorious for its political bias which must be weighed carefully.
    Magazines vary too greatly too effectively analyze the entire genre; but, like newspapers, some magazines can be a credible source of information.  Similar metrics should be used with magazines as stated above with the newspapers to determine a magazines credibility.  Magazines present an additional challenge because there are so many, and they can be difficult to assess the quality, expertise, and bias which can makes them an unreliable medium.  Shock, or mass appeal, can contribute both to the stories being presented, and how they are written about, in a magazine so that they can sell as many as possible.  Journalistic integrity is not usually a big factor in this medium.
    Television programs and movies are not a credible source of information regardless of whether the program is fictional.  If the show is fictional then anything can be made up and thus is not a credible source of information.  Nonfictional shows, such as would be seen on the Discovery channel or documentary movies, are typically not of the caliber that would be necessary for serious research, and can be difficult to ascertain the qualifications of the presenter.  Sensationalism is a major influence in the stories that are told, and how they are presented.
    Television news reporting can be a moderately credible source, but has serious concerns and limitations.  Due to strict time constraints they frequently cannot present the entire story, or enough of the story to make it a good source.  The newscasts also tend to suffer from a significant political bias and sensationalism.  Frequently, they will interview people who are lay people, and not experts in the field.  While there is the issue of journalistic integrity with news broadcasts there is a heavy element of sensationalism to help “sell” their program and get more viewers.  The entire television industry, especially newscasters, are notorious for their liberal political slant, and this can affect the stories and information that is presented.
    The Internet can be a source of credible information, but most of the information out there is not credible.  With most sites being of a personal nature they do not have the necessary credentials, and experience, to have a credible option.  Furthermore, there are no checks on the information, as would be seen with a newspaper editor, meaning anything can be said without qualification.  With some exceptions Internet sites should be avoided because they lack assurance, and can be difficult to ascertain how credible they actually are.  A variety of factors can influence the credibility of the information, but the largest is probably unqualified, and unexperienced, opinion.
    Advertising is not a credible source of information.  They are completely motived by selling their product or service, and not presenting necessarily accurate information.  They will use almost any available resource to mislead or obfuscate the issue or problems to make their product look better.

© Erik Smith 2005
Licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License