Blog Post 1: Top 5 News Sources

 News is absolutely necessary for a society to function. In some countries, news is under the thumb of the country's leader, but to countries like America, an independent news system is completely necessary for the success of a democratic nation. A news organization must report on the current events that affect everyone in the country, regardless of the narrative surrounding them. Some feel that a lot of networks are attempting to push a narrative, rather than report on the most important topics. However, there are unbiased news sources out there. My personal favorite sources are the ones that report on all topics, regardless of which political side it negatively affects. I only really look at one source for news and, combined with the fact I don't have a lot of social media and that I try to avoid the news cycle as often as possible, my recommendations may turn into attempts to try and redeem the sources I look at while I'm in a line or if I'm bored.

1. Associated Press

The Associated Press is a fairly well-known name, but not for news. Instead, they are most famous for the AP Poll, which ranks the 25 best college football teams in the country. However, AP is far more than a ranking committee. Their main slogan is, "The definitive source for independent journalism from every corner of the globe." The Associated Press is, without question, my favorite news source by a longshot. They truly report in an unbiased fashion, and that is incredibly clear when comparing them to Fox News, most infamous for being a Conservative news outlet, and CNN, an incredibly liberal news outlet. They have categories for each and every general news topic you can think of, with the most trending current events like the Facebook Papers and COVID getting their own tabs. I love that their generally unbiased in a world of political extremism in the US. It gives both sides, but not incredibly well in an effort to be unbiased. This is why I turn to other news outlets for other perspectives. This is the only news source I'd recommend fully. Every other news source has aspects that annoy me. If you can, read the Associated Press. They won't sugarcoat it with a political narrative. There are other unbiased sources out there that I've heard of, such as NPR and C-SPAN, but AP is the most familiar to me.

2. CNN

CNN is one of the most liberal news networks out there. They are incredibly mainstream, which is not entirely a negative thing, but it limits their viewership and trustworthiness. Personally, I would go to AP before any other news source, and I don't really enjoy looking at any other news sources. I generally only look at CNN's Business tab to examine their list of market data. Their market data is really the only thing I genuinely trust, but only because that is public information and matches up with the information at every other source. It is incredibly interesting to analyze. However, CNN frustrates me to no end with their lopsided coverage, which is a theme throughout mainstream news sources. If I had to recommend CNN, I'd recommend their business page. Their market data helped me get into investment, and it can help simplify the complex world of finances.

3. NBC 

NBC News is another liberal leaning news source, but not quite as much as CNN. However, the reason why NBC is lower than CNN is because I prefer CNN's stock market data. Both are the same, and can be used interchangeably, but I'm more used to CNN's interface. I watch NBC Nightly News occasionally, but when it comes to news, the Associated Press is really the only source I genuinely trust. I like to get different perspectives, but it can be hard to sit through news broadcasts from mainstream media in general. I look at CNN more, but I prefer NBC's news output to CNN's solely because of Nightly News. I don't really look at either one if I don't feel as though I need to. If you have to watch NBC, watch Nightly News. It'll give you the biggest stories of the time.

4. Fox News

Fox News, like the two discussed above, annoys me constantly. However, Fox annoys me for different reasons. They tend to be a punching bag in the world of mainstream news because of their outlandish claims that, generally, are only made because they disagree with the opposing party. While this may be true, this is likely because they are a conservative news source in a world of liberalism. However, Fox doesn't do themselves any favors with some of the crazy stuff they can spew out. While people like Alex Jones were a more extreme version of them, Fox can be a little outlandish at times. It can be hard to take them seriously as an outsider looking in. They're better than social media like Twitter (see below) for news, but it just doesn't seem like they can catch a break after inadvertently digging themselves into a hole. If you're a conservative, this is the only conservative mainstream news outlet out there. For that, and that alone, I'd recommend it to get that perspective.

5. Twitter

Twitter. Where to begin with Twitter? Unlike the news sources above, I have zero redeeming qualities involving Twitter. At least Fox is a different take in the mainstream. At least NBC has Nightly News. At least CNN has the stock market data. Twitter is the only social media that I even look at that happens to have a news tab. I'm sure Twitter is a great way to get news for a lot of people. To me, they're another CNN. The news tab isn't what bothers me about Twitter, however. Twitter is the only place I can think of that has a news tab and, any commentary about it will result in a level of shit slinging that it rivals monkeys hopped up on laxatives. I actively avoid looking at news on Twitter from any source for that reason. Twitter makes me despise the news circle, the society social media is creating, and any attempt to help people look at the Associated Press. People will have opinions and defend them to the grave, regardless of whether they're true. Twitter is a prime example of that, and I feel it makes people such as myself do as much as possible to avoid most news. If you don't pay attention to the noise, I'd easily recommend Twitter as a news source. I enjoy how streamlined their top stories are. Other than that, I feel that there aren't really any redeeming qualities to Twitter (or any social media for that matter) beyond keeping in touch with friends and family.

I know part of this was supposed to be, "Why would I recommend these outlets to everyone?" but I can't recommend 3 out of the 5 of these without it leaving a bad taste in my mouth. I do try my best to get perspectives, and watching things like Fox and NBC help with that. One thing that always made me laugh was my dad saying, "Let me see what's going on with the world," before turning on NBC Nightly News for that particular day. I never understood why people watched the news because it just felt like one sad story after another ending with an uplifting one, like an abuser beating their significant other followed by snuggling to end the night. The news makes me feel nothing good, which is why I try to avoid it at all costs. When I do look, I primarily look at the Associated Press. Every other source I can use makes me despise Americans beyond belief because of the ideas that they allow enter their mind. I will never object to people watching the news. In fact, I actively encourage it if they want to understand the current topics. The news just brings me a level of frustration like no other form of media I've ever encountered, so it just isn't worth the headaches to "stay updated on everything."