As rumors are whispered in your ear and headlines flash across your screen, do you ever wonder if the information you are receiving is simply an illusion of truth? Information is constantly and readily available on a variety of platforms, creating an environment in which it is easy to fall victim to misinformation. The amount of propaganda and conflicting ideas increases exponentially in an election year, making it even more difficult to be adequately informed. In order to effectively avoid misinformation, be sure to critically evaluate all of your sources, as well as to form your own opinions on controversial issues.
Oftentimes, the sources that people are encouraged to trust are littered with the opinions and biases of the content creators who may be operating with their own personal agenda. When formulating your political opinions, it is important to notice and understand which sources lean heavily to one side of the political scale. For example, “Fox News” is a notoriously right wing source, whereas “The Atlantic” resides on the opposite side of the spectrum with a consistently left wing perspective. It is always important to consider the biases of the source before taking the information provided too deeply to heart.
When formulating your personal political opinions, it is imperative to base your ideas on facts without being heavily influenced by the opinions of others. Your political perspective should be based upon your own experiences, values, and goals. Locating sources that provide substantial facts is crucial, as a proper understanding of the facts is the best way to solidify a political standpoint. Citizens can also gain a significantly deeper understanding of candidates by hearing directly from the politicians themselves. Tuning into events such as debates and speeches will allow voters to hear from the candidates without the added perspective that can always be found in an article or news story.
When engaging in democratic activities, voters and citizens should make it a priority to be adequately informed on the issues facing the country as a whole. Many experts claim that misinformation is one of the greatest threats to democracy and voter security. A country that does not consist of well informed citizens with individual perspectives cannot possibly function successfully for any substantial amount of time. While the majority of Medway High School students are unable to vote in this election, it is still crucial to practice good information gathering habits in order to make informed decisions. Each and every American citizen should make it their goal to remain informed and involved in their democracy, as well as to do their part in preventing the spread of misinformation.
