How do we know what we know? That is a very interesting question. Deciphering information that is given to us from the media is a start. The best way to do this is by, separating the facts from the opinions, checking our sources, and to make sure that the writer who is from our source is using credible sources. This is becoming increasingly important as we rely on these sites more and more.
Social media sites are increasingly becoming more popular by the hour. One of the websites which I use, that is more of a community than traditional websites, is Reddit. Reddit is formed almost like a bulletin board listing the most popular to the least popular entry. I find there is one aspect of Reddit that is very interesting; opinion. Reddit is a very opinionated website where anyone can sound like they're transmitting the facts out. I believe it to be true because people are consistently fighting on Reddit, saying who is right and who is wrong. While I think this website is very fun and interesting, I see people taking it too seriously and getting offended over certain people's comments.
Now, to give social media some credit, sometimes my first hearing of the news is through my Twitter. Usually links are given to whatever news website I am following. For the most part these sources are pretty credible. It is so funny to me that all of these big companies and news organizations have Twitter and Facebook pages. I was watching the Today Show on NBC and underneath Matt Lauer's face it read, "https://twitter.com/todayshow"
Overall, social media websites can provide a gateway to credible sources and credible material.
One thing I would try to pay the most attention to would be distinguishing opinions from facts.
This way as a reader and writer you can be more self-sufficient in deriving meaning from the media.
Cody - My first comment is you are a quick learner! Check out what you are doing with your blog site. Go Cody!
ReplyDeleteHi Cody,
ReplyDeleteI sure agree we have to decipher what we read from the start. Deciphering is a great term for it!
I haven’t ever used Reddit, but I’ve been hearing more about it recently and will check it out. I have a few questions for you since you are familiar with it. Based on your post, it sounds like you’ve determined Reddit isn’t a credible source for facts, but when you read something on Reddit does it inspire you to go to other sites to check out the story and see if you can find the facts?
You said you use Twitter for “sometimes my first aspect of hearing the news”. What are some of the sites you follow on Twitter that you find are credible? Have any of those changed this week as we learned more about the different models of journalism?
Sue