this post was submitted on 19 Jul 2025
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[–] jonathan7luke@lemmy.zip 5 points 1 week ago (2 children)

This is a genuine question: What do people get out of reading "both sides" (or all sides) of editorialized news? Specifically compared to just reading the facts of the situation.

I've been reading almost exclusively AP News for years (and occasionally listening to NPR), and I really like getting the details of whatever just happened (or is currently happening) without too much of a spin or a "take" on it. I can use the primary sources from the article and then form my own opinions.

It's been awhile since I've done much reading from other sources. I used to like NYT, but not so much recently. I don't really feel like I'm missing much other than the occasional deep dive investigative journalism piece, so I'm curious what other people are getting out of it.

[–] mic_check_one_two@lemmy.dbzer0.com 10 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (1 children)

Personally, I like seeing how different sides will spin the same story, because you can see the different talking points being formed in real time.

Let’s say a black dude was shot while resisting arrest. He was originally stopped for jogging in an affluent area, but after the arrest cops discovered a dime bag of crack in his pocket.

AP will report “police shoot man during arrest”.
Fox will report “police defend community from violent drug dealer”.
CNN will report “cops kill handcuffed black man during baseless arrest”.

In the different articles, you can see the different talking points that each side will inevitably use. It means you know what to expect during discussions, which means you can actually have counterarguments prepped for whatever they’ll bring up.

[–] lucg@lemmy.world 1 points 1 week ago

So if everyone would just do as the parent poster said, we'd not need to waste time reading the nonsense spins just to be prepared?

Somehow this doesn't make me want to read spins but I applaud those who do with the goal of keeping everyone else sane

[–] Arkouda@lemmy.ca 9 points 1 week ago

What do people get out of reading “both sides” (or all sides) of editorialized news? Specifically compared to just reading the facts of the situation.

For me it is about knowing what potential rhetoric and falsehoods are being spread outside of simply what the facts are.

I find this important because many people who are discussing "facts" that they have read in editorialized articles, with editorializing being a widespread and dangerous issue, are usually also pushing the narrative of the article. It is helpful for me to know how the facts are being spun in order to have a productive discussion because I can prepare for the rhetoric, and try to keep it on the facts.