Whether We Should Trust the News

     I'm fascinated by how much distrust people have towards information that challenges their beliefs.

    As a long time reader of the New York Times, I've felt, for the past decade or so, that some people would consider me to be brainwashed by bias.  I've felt a sense of self-consciousness to divulge that I read the New York Times.  

    When I read the news, I like it a lot when reporters show me how the sausage is made.  In essence, I'm interested in understanding the process by which the information is collected, and what considerations went in to deciding what to report and how to report it.

    My daughter and I enjoy listening to Search Engine podcast together which does a great job of bringing the listener along the journey of collecting information.  I thought the irreverent episode about The Stupid Little Yogurt Question was a good example of how the host handholds the listener through the information gathering process of journalism.  Just be aware that the host, PJ Vogt, does use foul language casually, so make sure you're comfortable with that.

I did not ask for license to use this image. 
I figure because I'm promoting this podcast favorably,
 and linking to its site,
that PJ Vogt won't sue me for misuse.

    And I think one of my favorite articles of all time was just reported by the New York Times:

    Now, in the third decade of the 21st century, misinformation seeps into every crevice of our lives, as quietly and completely as steam filling a house.  I'm increasingly conscientious about what information I feed my head.  I need to carry the humility of recognition that I will occasionally consume some misinformation.  I also need to carry the diligence to be critical and cautious about what I believe when I consume information.  I think that I do better in this endeavor to consume more fact-based information when I...

    ...engage with sources that reveal their processes

    ....engage with sources that effortfully provide transparency

    ...engage with sources that divulge decision making criteria for publishing

    There's no way that any one journalist can make the perfect editorial decision every time.  But this NyTime article article, which illuminates the process and considerations into the decisions of what and how to report this event, gives me confidence that the New York Times puts real effort into providing "accuracy, clarity and speed".  

    I also recently subscribed to The Atlantic, and my decision felt really good about a week later when I received the below email:

    I would like to see more news organizations reveal their processes into how they decided to report important events like this.  

    And I would like people who are distrustful of "the media" to get themselves involved in understanding how the sausage is made before they dismiss something out of hand.