Opinion (or was it news, I always forget)
Opinion is hard to see at times - because it is often sold as truth. Perhaps that is why I don't like watching the talking heads on 24 hour news networks. Lets be honest, when a channel has to turn 86,400 seconds everyday into riveting genius, its a tough sell - on over 11 channels mind you (C-SPAN1, 2, & 3, CNBC, CNBC World, Fox News, Fox Business News, CNN, CNN Headline News, MSNBC, Bloomberg - to name a few). So, what do they do? They throw in a healthy dose of speculation, political beliefs, and greed under the guise of news - it sells a lot better than facts. Check out this Harvard study (long).
News:
- is "just the facts."
- is unbiased.
- is fair and balanced (for reals).
- allows the viewer the ability to make up their own opinion.
- is not being spoon fed opinion, while being told it's news.
Don't get me wrong - opinion is important. Perhaps this is why Mohamed El-Erian's father (from part 1) chose to read from 4 different newspapers a day. So that he could glean truth from all the distortions and formulate an opinion of his own.
I have my opinions on health care, freedom of speech, the second amendment, abortion, the economy, business regulation, etc. It comes from my personal beliefs and how I view the world. But it is mine, and it is not to be manipulated by salesmen (or as we like to call them, pundits & correspondents).
"But you don't have to take my word for it…"
PS: The shows I REALLY like are the ones who pit two talking heads from opposite political spectrum's against each other. Let the loudest and rudest one win! Unless the host cuts them off....
Posts
