Evaluating Media for Credibility

Evaluating Media for Credibility

The two different news channels watched were Fox and CNN. I watched the news on December 14, 2012 at 5:00 pm and 6:00 pm. Fox news is often viewed as a conservative station and CNN is often viewed as a liberal station. Due to the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary on December 14, 2012, box Fox and CNN news spent the majority of the time covering the tragedy. Though both sides provided credible facts, I felt that Fox news was more credible.

CNN focused on the lack of gun control being the issue for the shooting. Gun control is a major political debate and making gun control a major topic of the shooting was inappropriate. The real story should have remained on the legacy that those who were killed left behind and what we can do for those who lost family members, friends and children. CNN did provide many facts on the number of deceased, shooters name and relation with the school, but the focus was brought back to gun control. They used a tragedy as a time to make a point, instead of focusing on the tragedy.

Fox news provided a great deal of information on the community, the difficulties they would face with recovering from the events. They made it clear that though many conversations would need to happen regarding the events, what was important is that the focus remains on those who made it through and those who lost their lives. Because they did not make a political spectacle of the events and merely presented the facts with compassion, it is easier to view them as a more credible and honest source.

The news channel that I often watch is a local channel, KATC. They are also a conservative station, the news presented is usually factual and direct and the biased conservative issues do not overcome the stories being presented. Both KATC and Fox did not let the opportunity to focus on political issues overcome their responsibility to present relevant information on the tragedy.

Reference

Fox News (2012, December 14 17:00 CST) 5:00 New (Television News Cast) Newtown, CT: Fox News: Channel 15

CNN News (2012 December, 14 18:00 CST) 6:00 News (Television News Cast) Atlanta,