Last week, I outlined the PESO method to define some of the different types of content that we consume. Over time, we will go through how I use this to evaluate content.
I started writing this Substack in the first place because when I speak to people about media, I often hear three common myths that lead them to disinformation.
Myth 1: The type of media indicates the level of truth. FALSE.
Examples of types of media include: newspapers, radio, podcasts, blogs, online websites, search engines, social media, content streaming services, wires, magazines, trade journals, newsletters, television, etc.
The type of media platform does not indicate whether something is true or false. We need to dissect the information within the media to know for sure and further trace the source. Over the next few weeks I am going to explain how to do that.
Elon Musk was guilty of spreading this dangerous rhetoric just this week.
This made me want to scream at how much this post lacks media literacy. There is true information and false information in all forms of media. As media literate members of the public, it’s our job and right to inspect it and seek more information. It is not as easy as saying that newspapers are always true and that social media is always false or the other way around.
Myth 2: The structure of ownership indicates the level of truth. FALSE.
Media structures include non-profit 501c3, 501c4, for-profit companies, public companies, worker-owned coops, no money exchanged at all, etc.
The type structure does not indicate if something is true or false. We live in a capitalist society. Unless that changes, money will be a necessary part of our lives.
All of these terms are tax statuses that have nothing to do with the type of content and how it is managed. Some of these might sound more noble than others, but at the end of the day, a lot of it is marketing.
I intend to write an entire upcoming piece on nonprofit or independent “news” scams I have seen that are pure sources of disinformation or loopholes for sinister activity. We’ll show how to tell over time, but I need to define terms first. Non-profit and independent is not always good.
Myth 3: The brand of media tells if something is true or not.
Brands of media include: The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, MSNBC, Fox News, The Intercept, etc.
Just because you see something on these brands does not mean it is news content. These outlets all have multiple forms of content. Some of it is news, but some of it is not. Over time, I am going to teach consumers how to decide and key words to look for when knowing something is news or journalism.
So now, if we can’t tell if something is true or false through these mechanisms, then how do we know? Stay tuned. We’re going to get into that over time in this space.
Key Takeaway: A news outlet’s type of platform, structure of ownership, and brand are not indicators of whether or not something is true.
Paid contributors can get my thoughts on MSNBC deciding not to hire Ronna McDaniel. Feel free to take a guess and tell me what you think too!
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