The media has always been a beacon of information for the community.
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The eyes and the voice of the masses, holding people of power to account, while painting the picture and providing details of important events. The role of the media hasn’t changed.
In well over 100 years, newspapers, radio and television have all had a place in providing information. The well-respected organisations and outlets do it well.
And by well, it’s means accurately providing factual information with detail and perspective.
What has changed during the growth of media and the preferences of how audiences engage when absorbing information.
The advent of social media has played a huge role in not only the way news is brought to the common person, but how consumers think.
The days of reading a newspaper and thinking about the crux of a story - who’s in the right, who’s in the wrong, and the critical thinking going in to making those judgement – is disappearing.
Today, we have the opportunity to interact with fellow consumers and media outlets themselves through social media.
The Facebook comment is fast becoming one of the most efficient and widely used tools to spread information.
Some, not all, and perhaps not even most, but some people even use comments to spread their own agendas when it comes to certain subjects.
That’s fine. In fact, it’s healthy. Generating discussion about important issues is what makes the public more informed to come to critical decisions.
The process of commenting has no filter, meaning anyone can write anything at anytime.
This is also healthy. Everyone has the same opportunity to provide valid arguments.
There’s nothing wrong with disagreeing with a comment either, or even writing a comment going against the grain of popular opinion.
As long as it’s done after juggling all the variables, and understanding the difference between a real conclusion and a product of a wild imagination.
Consumers beware too – critical thinking may go a long way when deciphering what’s real in news, but don’t forget to use it when scrolling through a wide array of differing opinions.
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Ben Jones
Area News Leeton Irrigator Coly-Point Observer
Area News Leeton Irrigator Coly-Point Observer
