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Finding ways to inform oneself of current affairs and political matters is important for a number of reasons.
People turn to a variety of sources including newspapers, television and radio to hear the 'news,' which can be a form of education by which people can advance their knowledge and make informed decisions in their lives.
But in a time where being properly informed actually counts for something, exactly how much can one count on any given news source?
Bill O'Reilly of Fox network's "The O'Reilly Factor" recently criticized Comedy Central's "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart," saying that his own program was more 'serious' than Stewart's 'comedy' show, and that viewers of Stewart's show were likely "stoned, dopey college kids."
In contrast, a 2004 study done by the Annenberg Public Policy Center found that viewers of "The Daily Show" were more informed on campaign issues than those who read newspapers or watched cable and network news.
Additionally, the study found that viewers of "The Daily Show" were 78 percent likely to have four or more years of college. O'Reilly's viewers were only 24 percent likely to have that much schooling.
Still, O'Reilly's ratings will probably stay the same, and his audience will remain loyal because people today are less interested in actual information and more interested in hearing what they want to hear.
Political slant in news is no secret. In fact, if one turns on the Fox network or listens to Al Franken's Air America show, they will undoubtedly be bombarded with current events backlit by personal agenda.
It doesn't stop with the people behind the show, either. Why, even here in Salt Lake City, The Salt Lake Tribune is viewed by some as a 'left-leaning- newspaper, while the Deseret Morning News can be seen as on the 'right.'
Bias is inescapable in media. No matter what the slogan wants you to believe, things aren't "fair and balanced."
The truth is, "The Daily Show" can be a good news source if you pair it with something else. The same goes for the Fox Network, Al Franken and anything that may come out of Ann Coulter's mouth.
The trick to being informed is to get your information from a variety of different sources, and then make up your own mind.
So, pick up a newspaper and turn on "The Colbert Report," because as long as you seek to inform yourself and make up your own mind on the issues, no one can accuse anyone of being a bunch of "dopey college kids."
