What should I watch?

[Samkl]

In Oz, we tend to stare agog and open-mouthed at the political landscape in the US.

My only experience of the US is 3 glorious weeks my hubby and I spent in Manhattan (apart from a day in Brooklyn and a day at The Cloisters) in 2014. Everyone said “oh, you only went to Manhattan! Why didn’t you also go to a. b. or c.? Well, we loved every minute and every New Yorker we met, and wouldn’t have travelled any differently ! We had every expectation of discovering other wonderful parts of the States -in time. We have kept in contact with the lovely lady who’s place we stayed at, and it’s been heartbreaking to see first NY and then other parts of the US go through the whole Covid thing.

My question is .... who do you all listen to or watch for your political info? I watch PBS Newshour every night, and at the weekend I watch Washington Week. I know MSNBC have credible journalists (Chris Hayes and Rachel Maddox are to my mind, very bright - but are they super biased?). I also listen to Amy Walters and Tamara Keith’s different podcasts. I’m very keen to learn about US politics, especially in this election year and would love a few recommendations. Ignore, if this is too political!!

 

[Nikki J]

Oh this is a very hard question to answer. What seems like factual reporting to me will seem like extreme bias to someone else and vice versa.

I try to read both sides CNN and fox news are what I mostly read. I also read the bbc and the guardian for the outside’s view

 

[KevinM]

Echoing Nikki here.

The inability to agree on the most objective of facts has divided our nation as never before. I do think that Judy Woodruff at NPR is more low key and they seem to do a better job of interviewing both sides more than the strong right or left leaning shows. Of course even that innocuous observation will no doubt result in numerous members rolling their eyes at that “socialist” news channel!

I think this is might be too hot of a topic to discuss here, because of the strong emotions. I just want us to lay down the swords on both sides, but that’s not going to happen. K

 

[blitzc]

So here it goes...
NPR is my unbiased news reporting daily read.
CNN is my political and world news station. ( Stop the eye rolling folks!)
Rachel Maddow is my in depth reporting (although liberal opinionated). In Jonathan Karl's (ABC News White House Correspondent) new book, he recommends Rachel because regardless of whether you agree or diisagree with her views, you will learn something by listening. He also adds Byron York from the WashingtonExaminer for the same reason, although reporting on the right.
And I like the New York Times daily updates for fairly balanced reporting.

 

[Wilson2009]

If you search for Media Bias Chart, you will get the big picture of the existing media circus in the US. The charts identify which outlets are reliable and the level of bias they present in their reporting. Unfortunately, those that are heavily biased (either to the right or left of the political spectrum) and unreliable seem to get the most attention on social media.

I rely on NPR, the Washington Post and the Guardian.

 

[KimT]

I watch BBC and listen to NPR daily. I also watch CNN for nightly news. I read The Wall Street Journal and watch C-span on TV. Although I lean way to the left, I realize that MSNBC inserts a lot of bias. Even so, I'm a big fan of Rachel Maddow because she's so brilliant. I can only tax FOX in small doses. Frankly, it is like watching State TV.

Attached is the media bias chart. It is updated each year. I used to have my students do a paper on it.

 

[blitzc]

Kim, one of the high school English teachers at the district where I worked had her students do the same. My two children had her and learned a lot from this chart. Great minds think alike!!!

 

[KimT]

It's interesting to look at how sources have changed over the past 10 years.

I think it's good to understand what others are seeing and hearing, especially for high school and college students. My parents never graduated from high school but they were both critical thinkers and good listeners.