Where do you get your news?

courtesy of thedailybeast.com

Being a digital native is both a bless and a curse. A bless - because you can easily access information. Ironically, however, that same quality is a curse in its own. The burgeoning of "free" social networks such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, iTune, Spotify and etc., encourage people to produce their own "content". However, they don't only produce entertainment-related contents, but they also produce news and or news commentary contents. The latter arguably is the one that makes the curse become more visible.

When you are exposed to so many information with countless sources, it becomes difficult to know what's fact and what's fake. This insane reality coupled with algorithm - the new technology used by big tech company such as Facebook - left people isolated in their own bubble. Consequently, although all information are out there, you are only fed the ones that fit your "personality". What you search, what you click, what you like, what you share, what you post - all of these decide what will appear on you feed.

If you happen to be a conservative, your feed will be predominantly occupied with conservative related contents. Likewise, if you are progressive, your feed will expose progressive related contents. Arguably, this digital reality contributes to the surging of fanaticism. In other words, more people today claim that they are right ones or their sources are facts which in turn blame the opposition to have the fake version of the news. As a consequence, we are probably the most divisive society ever.

So what should we do?

Personally, I think we should get rid of the algorithm. There should be a law that prohibits tech company to use it.

Meanwhile, we should use our privilege as human beings who are blessed with free will. Don't let us be stirred by the technology. Instead, we should take the lead and decide what we want to watch, listen and read. Don't believe everything and only trust the statistics. If the source has no credential, don't take their words at all.

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Since we are on this topic, I would like to list news sources whose objectiveness I consider to be quite good.

But still, a good amount of scepticisms won't hurt.

I will divide this list into two: news/information sources in Indonesia and international / the US.

Credible News/Information Sources in Indonesia

1. Narasi TV

I think building a network empire is the only way to go for Najwa Shihab, after working for Metro TV for almost two decades. It's fair to say that Narasi TV is Najwa's version of Oprah's OWN. Feel free to disagree with me!

So far, Narasi TV has shown its commitment to be the only one of the most credible news sources in Indonesia. In fact, Najwa Shihab grows even more aggressive now that she does not have to comprise with anyone. I don't want to speculate whether or not the previous network limits her journalistic independence. What I can say is that, with her own network Najwa appears to be more aggressive (in a good way).

2. Asumsi, and Fame & Sentences

It is very rare to find a pop culture (or perhaps the right term is youth culture) in Indonesia that incorporates deep intellectual discussion. More often than not, pop culture (youth culture) in Indonesia is all about entertainment or "cheap laughs". But rare things are gold, rights?

So, where do you go if want to be devoured with deep intellectual discussions? I would go to Asumsi, and Fame & Sentences. Just a side not, these are two different entities. But they both are equally good. One posts regularly than the other, though.

3. Tirto.id

Obviously there are some giant media corporations in Indonesia that still maintain credibility. But Tirto is so refreshing which is something that other news media lack.

Credible International News/Information Sources

1. Democracy Now!

I only learn about this news network recently and after tuning in to it for two weeks, I am convinced that they are as independent as they claim to be. They don't accept any adverts. Their financing rely entirely on donations.

What I love about Democracy Now! is that it still maintains the old school tenets of journalism. In that, they announce the news - not comment on the news. They let audiences interpret the news themselves.

This is so refreshing. When all news outlets go into the commentary mode, Democracy Now! is consistent on being a news.

2. Vox

Vox is a whole other thing. I feel like Vox is there to fact check all the news and information that are floating on the internet. So far, I think they are very credible and enriching to watch.

3. The Ezra Klein Show

As one of the founder of Vox media, Ezra Klein is very active to produce good content. In his show, he invites writers / experts to talk about their books and sometimes he even challenges them. What's so different about his show is that he attempts to make what would have been parts of academic conversation more accessible to a wider spaces and demographics.

4. Today Explained

Still part of Vox media, Today Explained is there to help us make sense of what's happening in the news. Sometimes there are just too many things happening and you don't know what to make of it. In a way, Today Explained helps to clarify the news or the events that are happening. But the host does not comment on them himself. Instead, he invites experts over to do it.

5. Deconstructed with Mehdi Hassan

If you are familiar with Head to Head on Aljazeera, this is the same Mehdi Hasan. While on Head to Head he strips naked the world's most corrupt people, in this show he invites experts to have a conversation about what to make of the current social issues.

6. The Intercept

People behind the Intercept are the same people who work for Democracy Now! Yes, Mehdi Hasan is also a contributor the Intercept.

According to its official website, it's also 100% independent. So, go check it!

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There you go. Those are my to go news media. There are certainly other news sources that are equally credible. But for now, I am gonna stick with those ones.

Where do you get your news? What do you tune in to? Let me know. I would love to check them, too.