Opinions-Everyone Has One

By PJ Martin

Office/News Reporter, Metcalfe Division

It has gotten to the point I can’t turn on the TV news anymore without being bombarded with dozens of opinions on every little thing going on in the world. Since when did news become someone’s opinion?

I believe that everyone has the right to freedom of speech as much as the next person, but it seems that nothing suits anyone anymore. Each and every word you say offends someone. Really, are we all in kindergarten again? Shouldn’t we have outgrown that by now?

I have always felt it was the journalist’s job to impartially report what has occurred. I try very hard to present the facts and leave what I think out of it. The way I understand it, a reporter is a bystander watching events occur then relaying those events to the public.

Even more in the spotlight as of late are the major media outlets. They edit clips to present whatever occurs in whatever fashion they feel will get the best ratings. I do not want to hear or see part of the story, give me both sides, show or tell me what actually happened.

Nothing is as it seems anymore. For example, you may see shots of the masses protesting this, that, or the other. Are they really upset at the issue or are they just being paid to cause a riot?

Perhaps one reason misinformation is so widespread is social media. As soon as something occurs, ‘boom’ it’s all over social media. Each person adds their own spin to it and before you know it doesn’t even resemble what you started out with. It’s like the old gossip game.

What can you do? I don’t have the answer any more than the next person. The best thing I can suggest is to get as much factual information as you can before you form your final opinion. It’s like the old saying: Don’t believe anything you hear and only half of what you see.