Bias and The News Explained

Based on statistics from the Pew Research Center, the cable news audience is shrinking. According to their research, the median viewership in a 24-hour period for Fox News Channel, CNN and MSNBC combined dropped 7% in 2014 to 1.8 million. There could be a number of reasons for this...perhaps it is because cable news now has to compete with the devices in our pockets (which make it so much more efficient to stay informed).

Another possibility is the bias that exists in cable news today, as well as the amount of speculation that happens during a typical broadcast.

We do play a part in this, and it relates back to instant gratification: we like to know whats happening immediately and we want all the facts. But sometimes, the case is that these networks do not know all the facts yet.

In order to be the first to release details about a story, many times networks will spend time guessing what happened and attempting to pass this off as factual. For example, they will sometimes look at limited images on their screens and attempt to make observations which many times are untrue.

John Stewart often pointed out the discrepancies with Fox News' statements as the host of the Daily Show.

 We have the resources to fact check these networks, and see how often the statements they make are false. Based on PunditFact's Truth-O-Meter, 45% of claims made by NBC and MSNBC were found to be false. CNN was at 22%, while Fox News was in the lead for discrepancies with 58%.

Hopefully this points out why fact-checking is important, and as modern consumers of media we can't just believe everything we hear.

Can We Auto-Correct Humanity?

This video by Prince Ea eloquently shares his perspective on our constant use of technology and the way it impacts our lives. Though there are certainly positive uses for technology, he illustrates the point that we need to keep our usage in check before we are overpowered by our devices.

I can relate to many of his sentiments. Many people forget to live in the moment when they are out with friends and are totally absorbed by their phones.

I think we have come to expect an escape from our technology. It is as though we can move into an alternate reality if we become bored or are feeling awkward in a social situation. It has become socially acceptable to stare at our phones rather than engage with people around us.

The best thing we can do to mend this is to be mindful of it. We have power over our devices, and when used correctly they can actually enhance our lives...but they should never replace actual human interaction.

Social Media and The Pull of Instant Gratification

People want things--and they want them now. It's called instant gratification and it's a powerful force. This desire has existed since the beginning of time...but with new technology, specifically the use of social media, this need is being fed constantly. Because of this, our expectations of the media have increased.

When you look into the psychology behind instant gratification, it makes sense that social media panders to this desire that is so ingrained within us. 

What is it? 

Exactly what it sounds like. Instant gratification is the desire to feel pleasure immediately. In the long run, it is better to eat a balanced meal rather than gorging yourself with candy. But because candy is so good, it will give you a rush of pleasure. If you eat a balanced meal, you will feel the gratification later. That's not to say that instant gratification is all bad, but like anything it needs to be experienced in moderation. 

Instant gratification is fueled by social media...

Especially because we have constant access to it with our phones. When we post, we get immediate feedback which comes with a sense of validation. Social media is an extension of who we are, as well as a way for us to use our networks as mirrors.

The rush you feel from getting likes and comments is comparable to a candy binge. It feels great immediately, but ultimately it's not that fulfilling.

How does this change our expectations of mass media? 

In more ways than one. Not only do we expect more of mass media, we take on some of the responsibilities ourselves. 

Think about the world we live in... How difficult is it for us to get in the loop about a news story? All you need to do is pull out your smartphone and you are informed. We don't need to chase information as it is always readily available to us. 

We are becoming mass media...it's a chain reaction. Our posting to our networks can spread infinitely and become viral. We create news and share it with others because of the rush we get from sharing.

Media, our expectations of it, and its impact on the culture is rapidly changing. Sometimes we need to take a break from all of our networks and observe it.