Defining the News

My idea of the news includes facts and statistics, interpretations, and different points of view and opinions. These facts and statistics, interpretations, points of view and opinions could be pertaining to subjects or topics such as science, politics, sports, religion, latest in Hollywood, etc. I turn to the news to do homework, to be cognizant of world affairs and local affairs(economy, war, policies), to form an opinion on an issue, and of course to settle any discrepancies with friends, family, or peers. What makes me trust a news source is prominence of it based on its accuracy, basically if its widely known as reliable source. What also makes me trust a news source is the source being the industry a great number of years and having experienced researchers and reports which ties in with the first reason of the prominence of the source. A very important factor that aids in the source gaining my trust is if the source gives both sides of the story. What makes me suspicious is if the source doesn't give both sides of the story and is in a sense blasting or constantly promoting a certain side. Of course there will be bias but if there is too much then that turns me off from a news source in which I search for a source that isn't slandering or censuring.

My definition or basic belief of what the news should be is a source that forwards information to the people with out being so slanderous but gives both sides to the story. The news will be bias at times but should be similar to the wikipedia core value of the neutral point of view to let the people form their own opinions on an issue based of the specifics of the story. The neutral point of view definitely pertains to the information that the news passes forth such as interpretations, points of view and opinions. The news should be a haven for meaningful and current facts and statistics to keep the people informed and apprised. A news source should encompass all of these aspects to be credible and reliable.