Why journalism
makes a difference
There are lots of people who need you to be misinformed for their plans to succeed.
Journalism is your best protection against such mischief and, despite its flaws, journalism gives you the best chance to find the truth.
When journalists are at their best -- checking facts, identifying sources and putting facts in the proper context, you get the news you need.
Here’s how journalism works for you.
Staying informed
gives you an edge
The ultimate goal of news consumers is to be informed. We don't just want to understand one story or even a handful of stories. We want to fully understand the issues that are important to our lives.
Doing that requires that we seek out the stories that contain the information we need so we can use our questioning skills to gather the details.
Learn more about how to stay informed.
Four questions that
help you get the facts
In order to be a successful news consumer – someone who can separate facts from bias – you must be a trained skeptic. That skepticism will guide you in asking the right questions so you can determine whether the story fairly represents the facts.
To help you do that, we've identified four questions you should ask about news stories that are important to you.
Do you think America’s journalists are telling you the truth or are you a news skeptic – someone who thinks there’s more to the story than what you’re being told.
You're wise to be suspicious. The process of arranging facts into a story creates bias. It's unavoidable. What's more, the decisions editors and reporters make could steer you away from the information you need to make important decisions in your life.
News Consumer shows you how to identify the bias and distractions in this highly-competitive media environment and teaches you how to separate fact from hype.
Because when you’re an educated news consumer, you control the story.
Traps in the news
Bias in the news
Read all about it
Our book, The Story Behind the Story, is an in-depth look at media bias. Available in print and on the Kindle.
Help News Consumer keep you informed
Join our mailing list keep up-to-date about bias in the news.
Issues that impact
your right to know
How the press works and why it often doesn't
- Making a profit
- SEO
- Reporters and sources
- Media by-pass
- Ownership concentration
- Are they really facts?
- Ads pretending to be news