Sept.+20


 * Summary of class discussion**

At the beginning of class, we began with a discussion concerning polarization and whether or not the class as a whole participates in this narrow minded and disrespectful dissertation. We came to the consensus that this was not the overall case and our conversations are generally kept on a respectful level. After all, debate or discussion gives the participants the opportunity to increase understanding by gaining different perspectives and learning to verbally articulate one’s personal ideas. Next, we categorized news into three sections including hard news, soft news or human interest, and opinion or commentary. Hard news is news that is presented strictly on facts which contain no hint of bias or opinion (information about a murder) while soft news is news that contains a spin of some sort or is presented from a different angle. Lastly, opinion and commentary, while it may be backed up by a degree of facts, is news that is presented from a singular and opinionated point of view. Having said this, news organizations can be categorized in a similar fashion. Sources of news may be classified as mainstream news (news that is presented in a factual manner such as CNN or the // Washington Post //), alternative press (news that is presented in a “racy” or more artistic way), or special interest news (news organizations that have a specific agenda whether political or otherwise such as FAIR). Lastly, we discussed some additional ways in which the consumer may determine the merit of any news source. First of all, it is very important to identify a source or whiteness and then to establish their credibility. Next, it is important to verify information that is being presented (such as the Darwin quote or lack thereof) and to cross examine this information based on other sources. Lastly, keep in mind that with time, one’s views may be clouded and the recognition of events may travel farther from the truth.


 * Comments about class**