When my young children were listening to advertisements, my husband and I would occasionally say in passing, “That doesn’t sound right,” “It’s hard to believe that” or ask “Do you think that’s really true?” Yes, if overdone it’s annoying. But if never or hardly ever done, children become gullible consumers.
We may think as adults we’re safe from media deception. After all, we’re smart and sophisticated. We’re wary of our sources. Right? And we read and watch media outlets we trust. Yet, you have likely heard even your trusted sources say, “according to one source,” “some people think,” and other vague references to expertise.
A few times, I’ve written about this kind of media reporting. It’s worth repeating. Five minutes ago, I heard “according to one source” on televised “news.” I began writing this blog.
To avoid being duped, we must be conscientious consumers of information. When our favorite sources use nebulous references to expertise, it’s important to take note. If you’re in a writing mode, let them know you expect better.
When media drop the ball in the provision of quality evidence, that’s a problem. When we let it pass, that’s an even bigger one.
