Are Online News Sources Enough?
I realize that knowledge is power, but now that I've been without a TV for 15 months, I can't help but wonder if I'm missing out on important local news.
I’ve been without a television for around 15 months. For years I’ve enjoyed “free TV” as it served most of my needs for news and entertainment; I had access to plenty of options, but I do miss it from time to time.
But during her T-Rex stage of life, my girl dog chewed the remote control that served as the lifeline between the analog-to-digital converter box and my old 21” boxy television set. It was a hand-me-down from my parents; the converter box was marketed around 2009 to the older crowd who was hanging on tight to their analog television sets.
The dusty TV itself is several decades old, but it still worked up until it didn’t. I ignored a mild picture distortion that made the characters look wider and shorter than likely appeared in person. I also ignored the fluctuating volume would shoot up for no reason. And if the remote to the converter box had not been crushed, the TV might still be plugging along. But it now sits dark on the television armoire.
The lack of a TV is not the point of this article, however. That I’ve managed to survive without it just fine is the message I wish to convey. I’ve relied more heavily on my smartphone and the internet. For entertainment, I use streaming services or “doom scroll” through Facebook. For news, I access news sites that I follow on social media.
Instead of using the TV as background noise, I listen more to my own thoughts or to music on local radio stations or even to music CDs (yes, I still have those). I teach a writing class during regular semesters, so often my time is spend reviewing student work and providing editing feedback; lack of a TV means one less distraction.
But am I receiving reliable information from my online sources? Am I missing out when it comes to local news if I’m not accessing it though traditional means? Are social media algorithms affecting the news that I’m accessing, and if so, is it to my detriment?
Such questions have been hot research areas for at least the last decade, so I realize that diversifying my sources for various news is important. I try to derive news from reputable news sources that pride themselves on being bipartisan and objective in their newsgathering and news presentation. I know many media companies or small groups of individuals now offer news aggregator newsletters with handy headlines and summaries of what’s happening in the world. News apps of various interest areas are also available for download.
I realize as technology has improved, prices have plummeted; purchasing a digital device that would provide “free TV” as well as internet-accessible entertainment would be nominal. But I must admit, I’ve rather enjoyed the silence, and my other digital devices and other interests and activities have filled the entertainment void.
Nonetheless, I wonder if I’m doing enough to stay informed about local elections, approaching storms (it is hurricane season) and other pressing matters.
