Resources

Monitoring News Bias

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You want to know the “truth”, right?  As such, surely you spread your reading across news sources of varying political perspectives, right?  One can only hope your quest for truth is, indeed a quest and not self-administered salve to soothe intra-psychic fears about your future and the future well-being of those you hold dear.  “Truth” is larger than that.

Should you venture into the wild, attempting to get differing perspectives on current events, how can you know if what you are reading is valid?  If understanding the political leaning of any given site is important to you, check out Media Bias / Fact Check.

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A Win for Investigative Journalism

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In a previous post, seekingGood highlighted the need for more investigative journalism.  ProPublica has voiced a similar concern. As the first online site to receive the Pulitzer Prize— ProPublica is known for the depth and thoroughness of its stories. However, the articles posted by ProPublic can be challenging for the average reader.  Enter Vox.  As reported by ProPublica, Vox, a news and opinion website noted for its explanatory journalism, has teamed up with ProPublica to provide visual access to their material.  This might help clarify the message of more complicate stories.  Sharing resources and research, the ProPublica-Vox collaboration can only be a good thing for investigative journalism and, ultimately, for us.

More from Jen Hofmann

We have not referenced Jennifer Hofmann’s activist site for a while.  She is still at it, going strong with her action lists posted weekly.  If you want to do something to shape the country and the world toward your definition of Good, check out her list and blog.

For example, here is just one of the postings from Jen’s April 30th list:

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I believe in a government led by qualified, trustworthy representatives.

Action: Advocate for a special commission to investigate 45-Russia ties.
Newly-confirmed Deputy AG Rod Rosenstein can approve a special prosecutor or commission, but has previously hedged on this action. Speak up.
Call: Dept. of Justice comment line 202-353-1555
Postcard: USDoJ, 950 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20530-0001
Script: I am among the 58% of Americans who want an independent commission to investigate Trump-Russia ties. Trust in the four current investigations is compromised, and the Attorney General’s credibility is tarnished. Only an independent commission or special prosecutor will restore confidence.

[Note: “45” refers to the 45th President of the United States]

Jen posts other such actions on her site as well.  There are links to express gratitude (for elected officials who have been doing a “good job”, for instance).  There are also suggestions for actions to maintain good psychological and physical health in these uncertain times.

Most of all, Jen’s lists—by their very existence—are encouragements to stand up and be counted.  Her lists stand as weekly reminders that we all are members of the group “We, the People” and that we all—that is ALL: red or blue, Republican, Democrat, liberal, conservative, Libertarian, Anarchist, other—we all should express ourselves as the natural exercise of free people in promotion of a free society.

Make a call. Write a letter. Offer encouragement to another. Read a good book—and tell someone about it.  Do whatever you think other people should be doing or what you would want them to do relative to you. Celebrate your freedom!