How to choose your news - Damon Brown

How do we choose which news to consume? Get the scoop on how opinions and facts affect the news and how to tell them apart.
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With the advent of the Internet and social media, news is distributed at an incredible rate by an unprecedented number of different media outlets. How do we choose which news to consume? Damon Brown gives the inside scoop on how the opinions and facts (and sometimes non-facts) make their way into the news and how the smart reader can tell them apart.
Lesson by Damon Brown, animation by Augenblick Studios.
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[@JacobBradley00136]

this is actually really relevant to what is happening around me right now

[@freshmanwithgotee]

Which stories have you been concerned with?

[@ighvteluna8170]

freshmanwithgotee yea lmao

[@stuntman1765]

Really

[@Lanz-z5t]

@@freshmanwithgotee what about now?

[@Rocketjake]

@@Lanz-z5t especially now.

[@seralthia]

"If everyone is a reporter, then nobody is" "With freedom comes responsibility" I'll be using these quotes thank you very much.

[@danielvillegas1669]

Lol can u help? What does “if everyone is a reporter, then nobody is” mean?

[@laurahoiles7003]

@@danielvillegas1669 think of it’s as like this; everyone breathes, so you wouldn’t exactly refer to yourself as a breather, as it is something that everyone else does. If everyone is a reporter, then who exactly will you report your news to? Nobody... hence why if everyone is a reporter, the nobody is.

[@philosophersprose3792]

@@laurahoiles7003 pretty much almost everyones reports news in some way but also recieves it from someone else.

[@andeccan]

@@philosophersprose3792 then think about "when all are Rich, nobody is rich" got it?

[@donnybrook5671]

@@andeccan We're all born rich. The rest is up to you...Life is Rich. Live it well

[@Rommerio007]

This reminds me of my favorite quote : "In ancient times having power meant having access to data. Today having power means knowing what to ignore" ~Homo Deus- A breif history of tomorrow

[@akashrathod595]

🙌🏼💯

[@MiriamLylac]

This is exactly the kind of video that should be shown and its contents discussed in every school room world wide (or a translation of it)!

[@sid7395]

A lot of Indians need to watch this video given the current situation of the mainstream Indian media.

[@hakimdiwan5101]

Indian media is the most unreliable media I stopped watching them long time ago.

[@jyotsnapanicker8111]

I was just thinking the same thing!

[@cani5761]

Show one honest news outlet idiots

[@Wobogy]

Really important information in this video. I wish more people would take the headlines they read on outlets like facebook with a grain of salt

[@The6thelement9413]

Same here! If they did, Trump would have not been a President of the US.

[@MetaphysicalAxiom]

Meanwhile Tedtalks is a gatekeeper who shouldn't be talking as they oppress any nonconformist, just like the entire toxic conservative religious fascist majority all do. Ted lies through omission by oppressing rebel geniuses & the majority hate everyone smarter than them, so all of you are getting a bunch of watered down overly simplistic lies that's packaged as "news".

[@downloadDA]

This video focuses on validating the sources rather than finding and choosing relevant news that would be useful and informative to us. Two of the problems I have now, and I believe lots of people have too, are not having enough time to go through every kind of media and choosing the news that is relevant to us (of course there's also validating the news). My point is, nowadays, there's just too much "news" and information everywhere that you don't know where to start let alone validating them. Moreover, a lot of news is so overly broadcasted that other seemingly "uninteresting" news that has nothing to do with wars or economic crisis gets quietly silenced. So my question is how can you find or identify relevant and useful information using the least minimal time? Also any suggestions for good bloggers, twitters, broadcasters, or anyone else to follow?

[@beatricerey13]

press agencies reuters afp

[@scottanderson7793]

I have the same concerns brother. I think one way that really jumped out at me is to make friends, true friends; with people all over the place. You can't be everywhere all the time. I would rather take the word of a trusted friend over a news outlet. I try to make friends that are intelligent and rational and while it's impossible to find someone without a bias, I trust someone that actually is in the vicinity of an event and has been affected by it directly over some entity that is thousands of miles away with no obvious stake in reporting this event other than to push their narrative. This is hard to do. But I can't think of any other way of doing it myself. Not too smart obviously. Of course this doesn't answer your other concern. Hope you find what you're looking for. ✌

[@szohbe1]

Searching for the truth can be easier then ever before. But the amount of nontruth out there is overwhelming.

[@KevinChar]

Well this is truly well said.

[@infiltrator7777]

False! In 1983 90% of American media was owned by 50+ companies. In 2011 that same 90% is owned by 6 companies. GE, News Corp, Disney, Viacom, Time Warner and CBS. Lets also not forget about Google manipulating search results and KZbin!

[@nathansabo9821]

Google does manipulate search results, including on KZbin, (though evidence it does so with negative intent is lacking) but I still have to ask you where your information came from. You’re attempting to dispute a claim, thus the burden of proof falls on you

[@karanlal4112]

@@nathansabo9821proof for what? None of the things he’s said are difficult to verify. Your response just shows how dense you are.

[@user-sv4fc9kv6f]

Mr. Lucas Bulcao is quite fond of your highly educated response. Love, your dear friend

[@winniecastro2]

No!

[@jellyguy44]

​@@karanlal4112if it wasn't difficult to verify, then it wouldn't be an issue to prove it here, would it?

[@AlexandrosKenich]

Easily one of the most important videos on KZbin.

[@FlexBeanbag]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/eJ7GaoF8m82rbZY

[@iXpertMan]

A mind opening video for a majority of people in this world, sadly I would imagine that, 'that' majority is too busy watching mass media propaganda for them to step back and re-evaluate the situation in the modern world. Another problem is not just the source of the news and their accuracy, but also the fact that there is simply so much news coming from all corners of the world and its just impossible to keep up with all of it, and so one is forced to somehow find a way to filter what is important/interesting to them - but what exactly is the appropriate method for this, I'm still learning... And even after all of this, we may watch some news and analyse it, but the vast majority either can't or even more upsetting simply don't do anything about it! Either because they are just too ignorant or perhaps just don't know where to start in order to make any difference - in hopefully a positive direction... we're so uneducated...

[@wildboy2222]

Oceania is at war with Eastasia. Oceania had always been at war with Eastasia.

[@dominicguye8058]

L 😂😂😂😂

[@comradestalin4826]

Bruh Light is Kira

[@gayatrikasibhatta5876]

1984 George Orwell

[@kurovisuals4272]

War is peace

[@toomuchtime4896]

Another goodthinkful citizen, I see.

[@Sir-Blaze]

I watched this thinking I could do more to filter my news, as the Israeli state of war emerged. I'm happy to announce I believe I am a critical thinker at heart. I hope all those affected by the current events and their families stay safe and well as possible. The same with Ukraine, and the innocent Russian population. I can't think of any other conflicts, but to all of you too. I send my love. In the words of a Ukrainian refugee, "All will be good, if not now, then later."

[@harluitam]

Its gotten really bad now where most people choose the network or station that confirms their prejudices and biases. Conservatives, tea-partiers and older, retired folks follow Fox News and Rush Limbaugh; Liberals follow MSNBC; the younger set tune in to The Daily Show, Stephen Colbert and VICE; those who need international news follow CNN, BBC and Al-Jazeera. Investors and traders follow CNBC; and more and more are trying to just get the headlines from Google News and then drill down from there. Its difficult to get the facts because each group will have their own "experts" who will present their own versions or interpretation of facts and stats. Unfortunately, groups with the most $$$ usually win since they have lobbyists, institutions and "think-tanks" to present findings beneficial to them as you can very easily lie with statistics. Just look at the number of new groups and institutes created directly or indirectly by just one source - the Koch brothers - with neutral sounding names like Americans for Prosperity. It is OK to have differing opinions. However, it is NOT OK if the viewers are constantly and persistently riled or whipped into anger listening to complaints and angry rants from opinionated anchors almost every single day. Anger then turns to hatred and hatred will inevitably result in evil.

[@praewaengkrut355]

Thank you for the information. People can post anything they would like to easily in social media, this makes people can determine whether those informations are trustworthy or not.

[@romasliv]

Since I quit TV and learned a bit about journalism, I realized that get to the truth about the news requires some work, not easy and spoonfeed like the TV, if you are lazy to get the truth, then you deserve to be deceived.

[@noorlelyana5327]

Hi im from UTM which one of the top university in Malaysia, i came here because my lect asked me to watch this video, and I found out this video is really good and awesome. Thankyou! To all my utm friends, if u read this pls like my comment

[@fatiniiman7122]

dont forget to subscribe ! gratiss

[@hdyhrsli]

so u are utm student . me too. nice to know that i have friend like you. i love u so much dear friend . huhu

[@Ct-pg6tx]

i supporttt

[@3nadi2001]

Can people in the comment section stop turning every little thing into a feud? Honestly, this video is telling you to double check on information. Not "stop listening to liberals" or "democrats are liars" or whatever. Stop it! This is why I'm not a democrat, liberal, or a republican, or anything else. I'm a citizen. I listen to all news, I take in all opinions, THEN I THINK FOR MYSELF. You guys shouldn't be having arguments on what's true and what's not, you guys should be working together to find the truth. What happened to us? Everyone has become to selfish these days, we forgot about unity, and we constantly forget that we're ON THE SAME SIDE. As humans, we should all have one goal, that is to make the world a better place. The problem is the liberals are blaming the republicans, the democrats are blaming the liberals, the the republicans are blaming the democrats, in all honesty, everyone is to blame. Everyone is to blame for the wars in the Middle East, everyone is to blame for the Russia/Ukraine conflict, everyone is to blame for pollution, bullying, violence. I tell you why? Because we refuse to unite, we refuse to have one cause. Lets all take a moment of silence, think of the great people in the world. Think about Nelson Mandela, Mahatma Ghandi, Yasser Arafat, Jesus Christ, Prophet Muhammed (pbuh), think about Muhammed Ali. What do they all have in common? They all wanted to make the world a better place. They all were united with their people. And that is where greatness comes. 99% of us are damn good people. That's good. But you can be more than that, most good people end up dying with their face in the dirt, but great people, they end up dying with their names on the hall of fame. The only way to get there, is if we all unite. Make everybody around you feel like a somebody, work hard, pray, be dedicated, be nice, have fun, and remember, time flies, so don't waste it.

[@melissabautz2346]

How do expect one to gain unity before they have gained respect, or vice-versa? All the influential people you mentioned had followers who respected and agreed with them for what they believed in. The fact that you want unity can't do anything by itself, actions do. One can't avoid actions that make them choose between sides. Those decisions that you automatically use in those situations show who you are as a person. But, I do agree that petty fued about Trump verses Hillary were annoying before they began.

[@mgewellithelped5704]

Alanoud AlThani congrats on being a good human being. We need more people like you

[@ElNumro23]

Great video and food for though. Media bias is something that I worry about whenever someone tells me something that they heard on the news. It's great to get a picture of what contributes to media bias and how to avoid becoming victim to it.

[@ahmedfarah2930]

The best way to avoid falling pray to media bias is to read news across the political spectrum

[@ElNumro23]

@@ahmedfarah2930 it's been 8 years since I made this comment and your reply is precisely the strategy I've implemented during that time. I try to understand as many perspectives as I can, especially those I disagree with. My rule of thumb is that if I can't express an opposing opinion in a way that's acceptable to the people with that opinion, I haven't taken enough time to understand the issue to hold a genuine opinion of my own. That said, with mass media seeming to endeavor for tribal controversy, it's almost not even worth consuming any of it.

[@kwasicanuck4092]

LOVE this video, very none biased and important message!

[@philholding6905]

Checking news less often with also help to combat peoples intolerance to uncertainty. The longer you leave it the more less worried you become.

[@CybeargPlays]

The animation reminded me of Schoolhouse Rock. That's definitely not a bad thing.

[@lukashess2804]

Great video! This is a very important topic that needs to be discussed more.

[@Attewir]

Like today! :D

[@orange70383]

I haven't paid attention to the local or national news in over 10 years, I have no clue what has happened in that 10 years and my life goes on just fine. Just think of all the tense stories and worries that never affected me at all.

[@isactagon]

I think it's really important to talk more about how bias is built into media outlets - especially if you are advising someone to read many sources. That person just might read sources with the same viewpoint. Maybe think about who is financially backing the media sources because that would shed light on certain biases. Also, on certain social media platforms, there is the reality of the algorithm now, it filters what you are fed. And there is also bias built into that via the bias & leanings of tech companies behind that. Certain things may be censored, to protect company interests. The companies need to also protect the interest of their shareholders which factors into things.

[@Zeeaworld]

Always love TED-Ed. Nothing is better than a bite of enlightenment.

[@MetaphysicalAxiom]

Yet Ted is a manipulative gatekeeper that oppresses all the nonconformists, just like youtube does,.. just like the toxic conservative majority have always done.

[@wbcx4491]

this cannot be released at a more appropriate time. The world, especially young people, need to start thinking for itself.

[@CYTBlitz]

Good advice on how to supplement your news intake. Of course, I don't think that the "gatekeepers" they describe are entities to avoid, but knowing how to manage the endless pile of information we receive on a daily basis is still good to know.

[@y2kmedia118]

Before doing any of that, ask yourself "will this piece of news or information be relevant a while from now? And if so how relevant to me as an individual?" Most people waste their time on news that won't even be relevant to the them the next morning let alone a year or two later, don't waste your time on things that are forgotten the moment they are uttered and not just because everyone in the world cares about a specific issue at the moment that you should also care. The first question "what do I benefit from this information as an individual?"

[@obibiniba]

I'm coming from the future... Great tips

[@chairshoe81]

the news is just everybody finding people saying what they want to hear

[@tre-moon-dous6122]

64 dislikes. These are the people who likes to spread false news. XD

[@curiousercuriouser1538]

Hahahahaha.......... or the people who don't listen to Ted's agenda

[@s.l.3281]

@@curiousercuriouser1538 or the people who think with paranoia that every kind of mainstream education is an agenda. Sigh

[@tre-moon-dous6122]

@Pancake hahaha touché

[@okayfineiguessilltrythat]

I looked up moogle and..."Moogles (モーグリ, Mōguri) are a fictional species of diminutive, sentient creatures that appear throughout the Final Fantasy, Mana (Seiken Densetsu) and Kingdom Hearts video game series, and are considered one of the mascots of Final Fantasy. They first appeared in Final Fantasy III."

[@JkCaron1]

Excellent video, keep up the good work!

[@kaanaana9826]

The artist thought I wouldn't notice Niko Bellic at 2:09. BUT I DID!

[@tggatsby3501]

The Mad Lad himself...

[@tp2496]

"...with freedom, comes responsibility."

[@wangnan173]

Where do you read the news? How do you check the source?

[@trudycarlos]

I am from Ukraine and this is very actual topic here right now. I live in city where actual fights happening almost every day right now and some of them I saw myself. So much lie about this from Russian media. But worst part is that lot of people believe this.

[@thefatevilcat-zi2yb]

Привіт, вдалось знайти методологію пошуку/звіряння новин? Якими ресурсами продовжуєш користуватися?

[@GamingMuchTerry]

It's a shame fewer than a million people have watched this video. If more people knew and understood this, we'd have a better chance of learning the truth about what's happening in the world, instead of clogging up social media with opinions and misguided bias. Just think about how different the past seven years could have been if everyone had watched this video in 2014 and what life might look like right now.

[@BJ-zd2or]

Ot actually makes it more hostile then trust or actually seeing people.

[@Brandon-sc1vl]

TED-Ed never fails to amuse me :) lol love ted ed vids

[@jumana3569]

I love so much guys! And this is soooo true.

[@kobe51]

With freedom comes responsibility... Nuff said!

[@annie1q84]

Thanks a lot for the heads-up

[@erikpdesign]

Funny, in the opening they said we don't have enough time and stamia to read all the news, then they suggest us to spend time and stamia to look at more news.

[@Irrkie]

well, the diference here is between reading news from multiple sources, than reading news from ALL the sources in the entire world.

[@Zyotomir]

Erik Georgesson Ain't nobody got time for that.

[@aashishbhongade8042]

@Ted-Ed you have become what you swore to Destroy

[@autumnriver7525]

Moogle: Hey, hey, oh yeah! I'm the best! Me: Excuse me but who are you? Moogle: I'm moogle, the most effective search engine in the world! Me: Huh? Moogle: Fine, I'm Google's long lost twin brother. Me: Ahhh, that guy! Moogle: .....

[@somthincre8ive]

Great video, I already did this during the shooting of 3 police officers in Canada, I watched this after and it really works.

[@jenniexx9528]

I suggest watching Crash Course and go to Media Literacy folder. Good luck!

[@pnealiv7443]

This should have millions of views 😞

[@قهقاع]

Media is power, with it you can have the minds and hearts of people.

[@priyawantstofly]

This video is now more relevant than ever

[@youthbrain]

as always, brilliant.

[@Omnilatent]

Last sentence was great

[@zulfeqharali1105]

GREAT VIDEO 🎉 Helped me a lot with my assignment

[@Albert-psych]

This is great video!. Thank you so much

[@cks0328]

This should be watched by everyone upon KZbin signup 😂

[@theprofessorgoldstein]

This is an excellent general video. Perhaps common-sensical, but still thoughtful.

[@Goabnb94]

Or in Christchurch's earthquake, after an aftershock, Australia media presented news coverage from the original earthquake for the aftershock

[@MyJanvic]

Telling fact, opinions makes sense in choosing what news outlet you rely on.

[@rompevuevitos222]

If you are easily influenced, sure, if you know how to think for yourself it doesn't really matter

[@andrewfayi9448]

Well, this is extremely relevant today

[@audreyraj5626]

The thing is, there is isn’t really a thing as a completely unbiased news source. Yes, there is variability in the level of bias that might be present, but every single person to ever exist has biases and those biases will reflect how people view the world, regardless of how objective you try to be.

[@evelynwong4102]

‘CBN’ ‘BBE’ ‘ABD’ Wow, how creative!

[@thumbliner]

Should also add Washington Port and New York Rhymes.

[@anilhugoabdulhaqwilliams4613]

Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “O you who believe! If a Faasiq (liar - wrongdoer person) comes to you with any news, verify it, lest you should harm people in ignorance (when relaying false information), and afterwards you become regretful for what you have done” [al-Hujuraat 49:6] Allah further says, "O you who have believed, avoid much [negative] assumption. Indeed, some assumption is sin...indeed, Allah is Accepting of repentance and Merciful " [49:12] Allah further says, "And they have thereof no knowledge. They follow not except assumption, and indeed, assumption avails not against the truth at all." [53:28] Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “It is enough falsehood for someone to speak of everything he hears (without verifying it first).”

[@frankyfourfilms707]

Thanks for this

[@saminm1]

Beautiful!

[@sumrando9203]

This aged well.

[@LuisLaTorre]

Freedom comes responsibility? What is this Super Hero TED?

[@AmianteTarvoke]

He was recently bitten by a radioactive journalist.

[@heather9842]

I am sharing this video, because is is more revelavent in whats going on today with so much miss information. Please make an updated video on how to get the truth in 2018. It seems like we either get the far left view or the far right. Where is the middle view?

[@akpoklifolisosro4850]

NICE ONE! I like the conclusion

[@justsaying605]

Politics is the in thing right now in the US. I think staying off facebook and not watching cable news is probably your best way to avoid misinformation.

[@not_Avery13]

THIS IS SOO INSPIRING I LOVE THISS

[@KwakuSven]

Sehr gutes Video, sollte im Schulunterricht mehr besprochen werden.

[@aashishbhongade8042]

With freedom comes responsibility Ted-Ed some words of wisdom

[@tamicawilson2965]

Love this video thanks for posting

[@normial4]

I love how they added Libya, finally some recognition!

[@quixoticindiscipline9524]

We're flooded

[@jinjuahn4368]

Hello, TED-Ed! Is it possible for you to post this on your Facebook page? So that when I share it, it will automatically play, and more friends of mine will be interested to watch it. I really hate fake news, and it seems to take over my country (Philippines) nowadays. Thanks in advance!

[@Bendrewson127]

THIS IS SO IMPORTANT!

[@Bendrewson127]

THIS NEEDS TO BE SPREAD EVERYWHERE!!!!!!

[@clarencetree1114]

This is so accurate compared to today's political news

[@sp9264]

GREAT VIDEO

[@liyahtinney1353]

0:29 0:50 1:20 1:45 2:30 3:00 3:25 3:45

[@DannyTheRanger]

RT news, the best news network!

[@fummy0076]

Agreed. It's fun to read a western news article, then read the same on RT and see how differently its been spun.

[@DannyTheRanger]

as a ''westerner'' myself, it's great to listen to a news network that doesn't have to follow any agenda.

[@theworldeatswithyou]

Yes, how could the Russian state media have any agenda? Everyone knows the Russian state funded media is completely independent from the Russian government! And that they "reflect the Russian government’s official position" doesn't matter either since the Russian government is always right anyway! I am such a critical thinker, unlike all the sheeple out there!

[@DannyTheRanger]

Karlo Schallibaum I understand that (for example) no international american network likes to talk trash about usa or a russian network about russia, but I noticed that well educated people have the same opinion as RT without even knowing what RT is.

[@mrmeeseeks123]

i am neither russian nor from the us why are people only targeting rt almost all news agencies are biased today the difference is rt spreads the propaganda of the russian government and the other "independent" news agencies like new york post nytimes have their own personal agenda

[@fy-]

Moogle!

[@sanjanasharma4382]

Indian citizen needed to watch this

[@DJBigMD]

that's a good way to try to get actual informations. the problem is - the most news come from reuters, which i believe is strongly controlled by the USA. the case of Ukraine tells me more or less that i'm not wrong in my thinking. the rest of the news which we call professional, comes mostly form the country you live in. when ever news come from a state, they are pro government and often don't share informations the oppositions wants to. so still it is hard to get the truth out of news.

[@73553BRN]

good lessons for the news creators who are supposed to be neutral...

[@mariabumby]

how does this address our filter bubble for receiving raw news in the first place ?

[@richardblackmore9351]

What if you do not have the knowledge required to comprehend a primary source? Does that not mean that you are bound by translations from a middle man? Let's say that I want to learn about quantum mechanics. Opening up a textbook would be little help, as I do not have the background in basic physics that is required to understand the material. I would need to master the basics of physics first, before I can open up that quantum mechanics text book and get anything out of it. Now, this could be accomplished, but let's expand this to any topic that an individual could find themselves interested in within a given period of time. I am interested in countless subjects, but I do not have the time or energy to become an expert in all of them, or even a few of them. Thus, I, like everyone else, am bound to the interpretation of others.

[@abhinavkrishnan9109]

+Richard Blackmore Quantum Physics is starkly different from interpreting news. When learning about physics, there is a universally agreed truth whereas the media often disagrees on what is really "true".

[@beatrizmedeirosnoleto9391]

He's got a point. There a lot of things we need to know but we do not have the knowledge to understand. What sorts of food are good or bad for your health, for example. News from a country with a different language. The interpretation of massive amounts of data. It is not feasible. One has a life to live. We are already drowning in information, we do need the middle man.

[@karengomez3143]

Pretty actual! Thx

[@The6thelement9413]

Education is power!

[@flenndieodd9644]

The truth will always be there to dig up. But the false news will follow you around ~Peter Smith ( I have no idea who he is)

[@레몬드림-b4i]

1:50 2:04 2:28 3:11 3:23 3:47

[@Realxar]

This is needed more than ever. Algorithmmmmm, assemble.

[@huntsvilleadventurer]

We failed miserably on reading and posting fake news on social media.

[@rociomarrroquin]

Is Ted ed reliable? No references are on videos.

[@BoutaibYassine]

very true!!!

[@Jolly789]

Yes..I always use moogle to search authenticity of any news..

[@Master-Roshi]

And also alot of news from the big corps come from only two sources, Reuters and Reporters sans frontières.

[@Bill0102]

I'm stunned by this content. I encountered something similar, and it was absolutely incredible. "The Art of Meaningful Relationships in the 21st Century" by Leo Flint

[@swirlandtwirl5417]

Correct

[@kaiofficial7168]

Philip D is how I get the majority of my news