I’m Tired of Pretending We’re All on the Same Page

Look, I’ve been editing news for 22 years. Twenty-two! I started back when people still said “online news is the future.” Ha. Future’s here, and it’s a dumpster fire.

I was at a barbecue last summer—let’s say it was June 14th, because I remember the date because my cousin Sarah’s kid got stung by a bee—anyway, I’m talking to this guy, let’s call him Marcus, and he tells me he got all his news from Facebook. Facebook! I mean, come on.

Which brings me to my point. Or one of them. Honestly, I’ve got alot of points today. News literacy? It’s a joke. A completley broken joke.

We’re All Just Making It Up as We Go

I remember back in the day—okay, 2005, let’s be specific—we had actual fact-checkers. Real people who’d call up libraries and verify stuff. Now? It’s all “sources say” and “according to reports.” It’s like we’re all just making it up as we go along.

And don’t even get me started on the algorithms. I was talking to a colleague named Dave—he’s a data guy, knows his stuff—he told me about how these platforms push us into these little echo chambers. It’s like they’re saying, “Oh, you liked that crazy conspiracy theory? Here’s 50 more!”

Which… yeah. Fair enough. I guess that’s why we’re here. But still. It’s frustrating.

A Quick Story About My Sister

So my sister, Lisa, she’s a nurse. Smart lady, right? But last Tuesday, she sends me this article about how vaccines cause autism. I’m like, “Lisa, no. Just… no.” But she’s like, “But it’s on the internet, so it must be true!”

I spent 36 hours—okay, maybe not 36, but alot of time—explaining to her why that’s not how this works. And she’s not stupid! She’s just… misinformed. And that’s the problem. We’re all misinformed.

But here’s the thing: it’s not entirely her fault. It’s ours. The media’s. We’re not doing our jobs right if people can’t tell the difference between real news and, well, garbage.

Okay, Here’s Some Actual Advice

Look, I’m not gonna sit here and pretend I have all the answers. But I can tell you what I tell my kids: be skeptical. Ask questions. And for the love of god, don’t get your news from Facebook.

And if you’re really serious about getting better at this, check out some helpful resources online guide. I mean, honestly, it’s a good place to start.

But also, talk to people. Real people. Not just the ones who agree with you. Go to a park, strike up a conversation. You’ll learn more than you ever will from a tweet.

A Tangent About Coffee

Speaking of real conversations, I was at this coffee shop on 5th—you know the one, with the weird art on the wall—and I overheard this guy talking about how “the media” is out to get him. I mean, come on. It’s not that deep.

But then I thought, maybe it is. Maybe to him, it is. And that’s the problem. We’re all so wrapped up in our own little worlds that we can’t see the bigger picture.

And that’s why I’m writing this. To try and make sense of it all. To try and see the bigger picture.

But honestly? I’m not sure I’m doing a very good job.

Anyway, that’s enough from me. I’m gonna go find some coffee. Maybe talk to some strangers. You know, for research.

About the Author: Jane Doe has been a senior editor for over two decades, working with major publications across the country. She’s seen the media evolve—sometimes for the better, often not—and isn’t afraid to call out the industry’s flaws. When she’s not editing, you can find her at her favorite coffee shop, trying to make sense of the world.

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