Narrowing News to One Side is Not How We Practice Free Speech

    The warriors of words fight not on the battlefield, but on social media, at public protests, and in the news media. Among them are those that are reliable and those that aren't.
   News was once just the facts, ma'am. Now its rich in opinion. It comes at you from the left, and it comes at you from the right. The two sides often do a better job stirring us up one against the other than they do of letting us know what is happening. 
  So why don't you learn how to tell a good news story from a bad one?
  1.) Note whether the story quotes people on both sides of the issue. 
  2.) Watch for the tone of the story. Does it give you the feeling that both sides make worthy points? Does it stir you to anger, or does it help you understand where both sides are coming from?
  3.) Does it draw conclusions without citing specific sources? 
  It is fine to have an opinion. It is fine to express it. And, when you see something wrong going on, of course you want to speak up against it. You might feel like you are to wear out your days speaking against that which is wrong. That's cool.
  But as for your source of getting your news before you arrive at your opinion, go with the sources that are even-handed. And don't write off news sources too quickly. Some will tell you not to listen to the main media, for itis not to be trusted. Instead of swallowing such a line, pick up and read their stories for yourself.  Does the story quote both sides? Does it go about its perusal of facts in a way that makes you feel you can understand how both sides feel? Does it rush to a conclusion without providing evidence? How about your current news source? Take its stories and judge it by the same standard.
   Listening to the liberal left or conservative right is fine, but to guide you through those outlets, find a news source that is balanced and unbiased. Don't be captured by opinions that tell you not to listen to the other side. Do your own thinking. Don't let others tell you how to think or where to get your news. You can pick up a story and read it and make a determination if it is a good article on your own.
   Our founding fathers knew well the power of the press. They knew it was the foundation of a free society. But I don't remember ever reading a quote from one of them suggesting that we must only listen to them, and to them alone. None of them turned you away from hearing both sides. So don't let the pundits of today convince you differently. Narrowing news to one side is not how we practice free speech.