How to consume articles

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Access to media has never been freer and more widespread than in our era.

Such quick and easy access comes at a cost, however, such as how misinformation can more rapidly spread. How many click-bait articles have hoodwinked you into believing a ridiculous story or played upon your loyalties? The answer is increasingly yes.

Because of all these falsehoods and confirmation bias, people must become more wary about what articles they consume in order to prevent themselves from being manipulated or lose touch with reality.

I’m sure more tips could be thought up and the ones presented are certainly open for scrutiny. Just be aware that not every article is true and even the ones that are can be slanted to serve a certain agenda. Keep calm and avoid fake news.

1) Headlines aren’t enough

How is a reader supposed to form a nuanced opinion or understand the context of a story by only reading the headline?

The answer is they can’t. Not only are headlines unable to convey every facet of a topic, they often don’t match up with the content of the article. This is an unfortunate result of click-bait culture and readers should avoid jumping to conclusions upon first seeing a headline, much less commenting without knowing, which is all too common.

2) One article isn’t enough

In order to get a fully rounded view of a subject, one must gather information from multiple sources. That means allowing the different sides of an issue to make their case.

Most people are understandably too busy to read multiple articles about a single news story or topic. This tip is more for journalists and would-be social media activists. Still, there’s nothing wrong with examining another perspective.

3) Choose your articles wisely


That is the attitude readers must take with new sources. No journalist is perfect and errors should occasionally be expected, but when a publication continues to knowingly twist the truth or refuses to acknowledge its mistakes, your faith is rightfully shaken.

Articles with references and hyperlinks to legitimate websites, for example, are likely to be trusted, whereas article that make wild claims with no citations should be ignored.

Of course, this isn’t a condemnation of alternative media or articles with a casual tone. All publications should be held to the same standard because in the end, what’s true is true. Who cares who reported the story so long as it’s true and relevant?

4) Watch for bias in others

There is nothing inherently wrong with having a biased perspective so long as a publication is honest about it.

Too bad many news sources fail to even do this. That is why indicators such as tone are important to see if there is an agenda behind an article, whether that agenda be financial, political or personal.

Also, ask yourself who is writing this article? If a news company owned by multinational oil company wrote a pro-pipeline piece, you probably have reason to doubt the objectivity of the reporting.

5) Watch for your own bias

If it’s too good to be true…

Obviously, good things do happen. Sometimes your side wins and you get to feel nice and snug in your office chair as you bask in the angst of your opponents.

Other times, however, your side is either in the wrong or flat-out loses. It is very difficult to be self-reflective but it is also healthy. Too many people these days are determined to dig their heels into the sand or follow the herd.

Most of all, don’t deny the facts. It’s the perfect way for someone to dismiss you.