How do I get a Balanced View of What's going on in the world?

Article by Guest Author Peter Brooker

I'll admit it, I loved the way Trump called Kim Jong-un Rocket Man at a rally in Huntsville back in 2017. But that doesn't necessarily make me a Trump supporter. Sure I have my own political beliefs and I enjoy listening to the leaders that talk about policies I agree with, but I'm struggling to get a balanced opinion. Most people don't want a balanced view of their ideals because of a thing called cognitive dissonance. That's when the neural pathways in your brain start to fuzz with the perception of contradictory information and the mental toll of it.

I'm looking to get a more balanced view on the world economy, on the war effort, on COVID, on big pharma on Russell Brand, everything. But where to go? Which newspapers, podcasts and TV channels should I be tuning into in order to get a balanced view?

To get a balanced view of what's going on in the world, consider the following strategies:

• Diversify Your Sources:

• Fact-Check

• Avoid Sensationalism

• International Coverage

• Read Opinions and Analysis

• Cross-Check Information

• Be Aware of Bias

• Engage in Critical Thinking:

• Follow Reliable News Aggregators

• Stay Informed Over Time

What newspapers are considered liberal and which ones are conservative?

IN THE U.S

Left-leaning newspapers:
1. The New York Times: Often seen as centre-left, it provides a mix of news and opinion, with a diverse range of columnists.
2. The Washington Post: Similar to The New York Times, it is considered centre-left with a mix of news and opinion content.
3. The Guardian: A British newspaper with a left-leaning editorial stance, it covers international news and often has a progressive perspective.
4. HuffPost: Known for its progressive and liberal viewpoints, it covers a wide range of news and opinion articles.

Right-leaning newspapers:
1. The Wall Street Journal: Often seen as centre-right, it focuses on business and economic news but includes a range of editorial perspectives.
2. The Washington Times: Tends to have a conservative editorial stance, covering a mix of news and opinion.
3. The National Review: A conservative magazine that offers a right-leaning perspective on politics, culture, and current events.
4. The American Conservative: A publication known for its conservative viewpoints on a variety of issues.

IN THE U.K

Left-leaning or Liberal Newspapers:
1. The Guardian: The Guardian is often regarded as a left-leaning newspaper with a liberal editorial stance. It covers a wide range of news and tends to have a progressive perspective.
2. The Independent: Although The Independent is no longer in print, it continues as an online publication with a reputation for independent and centrist reporting.
3. The New Statesman: This magazine is considered centre-left and provides in-depth analysis and commentary on politics, culture, and current affairs.
4. The Mirror: The Daily Mirror leans left and is known for its tabloid-style coverage with a working-class readership.

Right-leaning or Conservative Newspapers:
1. The Daily Telegraph: The Telegraph is typically seen as a right-leaning newspaper with a conservative editorial stance. It often supports conservative political positions.
2. The Times: While The Times maintains editorial independence, it tends to have a centre-right perspective and covers a wide range of news and opinion pieces.
3. The Sun: The Sun is a tabloid newspaper with a right-leaning and often sensationalist style of reporting. It has a working-class readership.
4. The Daily Mail: The Daily Mail is known for its conservative stance and often emphasises social and cultural issues from a right-leaning perspective.

What news outlets are considered impartial?

No news outlet is completely free from bias or impartiality, as bias can be subtle and unintentional. However, some news organisations are known for their efforts to maintain a more balanced and objective approach to reporting. These outlets often adhere to journalistic standards and strive to present multiple perspectives. I wanted to find out which one

1. Reuters: Reuters is a global news organisation known for its commitment to impartiality and accuracy. It provides news to other media outlets around the world.
2. The Associated Press (AP): The Associated Press is a not-for-profit news agency that aims to deliver objective news coverage.
3. BBC News: The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) is known for its commitment to impartiality and often provides international news with a global perspective.
4. NPR (National Public Radio): NPR in the United States is a publicly funded broadcaster known for its comprehensive and balanced reporting.
5. The New York Times and The Washington Post: While these newspapers may have editorial sections with varying perspectives, their news reporting is generally considered to be reliable and objective.
6. Al Jazeera: Al Jazeera is often cited for its international coverage and diverse perspectives on global events.

It's important to note that even these outlets can face criticism and accusations of bias, and individual journalists within these organisations may have their own perspectives. Therefore, it's still advisable to cross-reference information from multiple sources to develop a more complete understanding of any news story.

What Podcasts are the best for world affairs? 

There are several excellent podcasts that provide in-depth coverage of world affairs and international news.

1. "The World" from PRX: This podcast offers a comprehensive look at international news and features stories from around the globe.
2. "The Global Politico": Hosted by Susan Glasser, this podcast delves into global politics, featuring interviews with world leaders, diplomats, and experts.
3. "Foreign Affairs Unedited": Produced by Foreign Affairs magazine, this podcast covers a wide range of international issues, featuring discussions and interviews with leading experts.
4. "The Economist Radio": The Economist's podcast covers global economics, politics, and culture, providing insightful analysis of current events.
5. "BBC Global News Podcast": This daily podcast from the BBC provides a roundup of the day's top international news stories, offering a global perspective.
6. "Revolutions" by The Diplomat: Focusing on Asia-Pacific affairs, this podcast features discussions on geopolitics, security, and regional developments.
7. "The Intelligence" by The Economist: This podcast offers in-depth analysis of current events and explores the factors shaping global politics and economics.
8. "On the Media": While not solely focused on world affairs, this podcast explores media coverage and how it shapes our understanding of global events.
9. "PRI's The World": A daily international news podcast that provides stories from around the world, often featuring in-depth reporting on underreported issues.
10. "The Inquiry" by the BBC: This podcast delves into complex global questions and issues, providing in-depth exploration and analysis.

Remember that the availability of podcasts may change over time, so it's a good idea to check your preferred podcast platform for the most up-to-date offerings. These podcasts can be valuable sources for staying informed about world affairs and gaining insights into global events and trends.

Summary

I'm a firm believer in picking your battles. There is no point getting into fervent debates on issues like climate change, immigration policies etc, if you're not already well informed. Like Denzel said  “If you don't read the newspaper, you're uninformed, if you do read it, you're misinformed.” Although I think he was riffing on Mark Twain.

Have a view or a stance on a subject, try and find out the core facts that are deemed common parlance, then seek contrasting views. Actively seek some cognitive dissonance. And then fact check those. It's called journalism. It's called balance. Don't just read one book on the subject, read many. Then formulate your opinions. Over and out.

Photo by Joshua Rawson-Harris on Unsplash