The Struggle for Unbiased News

We're living in a challenging time for news and information consumption. The internet is a vast and unregulated space where disinformation flourishes and spreads. In this environment, media bias is evident—some outlets lean left, others lean right, with some adopting branding terms like “truth,” "patriot," or "freedom." The fundamental question becomes: do we want the facts or merely seek information that aligns with our ideologies?

Overwhelmed by information overload, a person struggles to process a chaotic swirl of documents, data, and symbols above their head.

The path to our current information landscape hasn't been shaped by any single villain or moment—it's more like a perfect storm of technological, psychological, and social factors converging over time. Our brains naturally seek validation and comfort, gravitating toward information that confirms our beliefs. The internet and social media have intensified this tendency by making it extremely easy to find like-minded people and personalized content. Social media algorithms designed to maximize engagement know that emotional and polarizing content keeps people clicking and scrolling.

The issue goes beyond just technology. As traditional local newspapers dwindled and media outlets merged, many communities lost their common sources of information. The 24-hour news cycle intensified pressure to fill airtime, leading to more commentary and less direct reporting. The abolition of the Fairness Doctrine in 1987 paved the way for more openly partisan broadcast media.

The data tells an interesting story. According to a Harris Poll, most Americans rely on national media (52%), social media (51%), and local media (51%). Personal connections are seen as the most trustworthy source, with 81% of respondents trusting them for information. Pew Research Center data indicates that 86% of Americans turn to digital devices for news, while television remains popular at 63%. Print publications and radio have significantly declined, with only 26% and 16% of Americans using them, respectively.

These trends have led to a system that naturally fragments into echo chambers. When people feel uncertain or threatened, they seek the comfort of like-minded groups. This isolation heightens feelings of division, making other viewpoints appear even more threatening or alien. Coupled with the erosion of trust in traditional institutions and increasing political polarization, this creates a perfect recipe for information bubbles.

News organizations are adapting by embracing multimedia storytelling and mobile-friendly formats. While digital access allows individuals to cross-check sources, the overwhelming volume of information often leads to skepticism or disengagement. Addressing misinformation requires a collective effort that includes media literacy education, responsible content sharing, platform accountability, community engagement, and advancements in AI to detect falsehoods.

The irony is that we've never had greater access to diverse perspectives and information, yet many of us find ourselves in even narrower information bubbles than ever before. If your primary news source comprises talking heads or raucous panels claiming that things are either the worst or the best they've ever been, it's time to seek alternatives. Finding the facts demands hard work, but too many people aren’t willing to put in the effort.

(Tim Herrera is the author of “Public Speaking: Simple Steps to Improve Your Skills,” which you can find on Amazon.)