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Where can I get unbiased news?

thegatesnotes.com

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Re: Where can I get unbiased news?

#14

Post by whyenot »

jackfoxy wrote: post #9

"Scientific American" is a sad shadow of it's former self. It has gone mass market and PC.It used to be closer to one step below a peer revue scientific journal.

This is also true for New Scientist, which has really gone down hill over the past few years.

The front sections of Science and Nature are pretty good for general science news. Science News might be another option, but I haven't read it in several years and have no idea if it's even still being published.

Re: Where can I get unbiased news?

#15

Post by evgen »

InclinedPlane wrote: post #13
Flemlord wrote: post #11

Washington Post and the Wall Street Journal both have a strong right-wing slant.

Maybe you're thinking of the Washington Times.

No, I am sure the OP was talking about the Post. The news coverage the sort of "inside the beltway" stuff you would expect from the local paper to a one-industry town, but the editorial board is pure neo-con.

Re: Where can I get unbiased news?

#16

Post by bootload »

There is always some form of bias in reporting of news. Journalists are people so no matter how hard they try to be balanced there will be some degree of slant. There is a difference between slant and bias. Bias is trying to fit the facts to the story, not the other way around. So how do you check for bias and misinformation? What about choosing what you consider to be unbiased news sources, "news you can trust?" This isn't enough you also have develop a contrary viewpoint. [0]

How?

I read a Sciam article yesterday [1] that outlined a few hints. Misinformation, is opinion presented as fact reported as news. See if you can spot the following techniques used reading or listening to your "unbiased" news:

  - lack of evidence
  - use of supporting imagery
  - repetition
  - framing 
  - entertainment & fear
When searching for unbiased news I source from many sources: print; radio; tv; web; Favouring depth to breadth and keep my eyes shut to deceptive images.

[0] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contrarian

[1] "How Effective Are Misinformation Campaigns to Manipulate Public Opinion?" ~ http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=misinformat...

Re: Where can I get unbiased news?

#17

Post by manbearpig »

swernli wrote: post #6

In my opinion: The Daily Show and/or Colbert Report. I guess you could say their only bias is toward comedic pessimism. Is it sad to say that a comedy network has become what I believe to be the least biased news? Or is it just our modern evolution of what has always been the place of good satire: to criticize, under the guise of comedy, that which "serious" outlets dare not discuss?

I love those shows, but how can you say they aren't biased? As a liberal, I at least take pride in understanding that when I watch Steward/Colbert/Olbermann/Maddow, I'm watching partisan arguments. It's sad that many conservatives genuinely believe that Fox News is fair and balanced.

Re: Where can I get unbiased news?

#18

Post by lmkg »

jackfoxy wrote: post #7

Does not exist as a single source. Try news sites with diametrically opposed points of view and draw your own conclusions.

I upvoted because at its core, the plurality approach is a fundamentally good idea. However, two caveats. First, beliefs aren't on a spectrum, so get several opinions, not just two. Second, diametrically imposed still shouldn't mean extremist; you'll get higher signal:noise ratio in more moderate sources.

Re: Where can I get unbiased news?

#19

Post by zzzmarcus »

Really? There are no unbiased media sources. Bill Gates of all people should recognize that every publication he mentioned is biased and be aware of, and mention, their perspective. I read some of these publications, but I'm at least cognizant of their leanings and know where to go for an alternative point of view.

The Economist is great if you want the Keynesian perspective on economics and not much else. Per wikipedia: According to former editor Bill Emmott, "the Economist's philosophy has always been liberal, not conservative." The bias is clearly stated.

Scientific American is purely mainstream science. It represents the cathedral of academia.

Slate - Do they even try to be non-biased? Again, wikipedia also describes it as liberal.

NYT/WP/FT/WSJ - No comment. Anyone who has read them can form their own opinions.

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