4 ms·

> and I don’t think regular viewers knew not to trust it as journalism. Why?

deleted 2y ago
[deleted]
hnbad 2y ago
I guess it depends on your definition of journalism but there is a reasonable expectation that someone hosting a show - even if it's more editorialized and explicitly opinionated than other reporting - on a channel with the word "News" in its name would at least use a reasonably well-researched factual basis when making factual claims or presenting statements as facts in support of his opinion or argument, rather than outright deliberately lying. After all there are people who think there is factual evidence and undeniable proof for the existence of space aliens on Earth, cryptozoology or supernatural phenomena because "The History Channel" decided to give up on sticking to actual history and started airing whatever nonsense grabbed anyone's attention. You can argue that a discernable viewer could easily figure this out by reflecting on what they're viewing but there are good reasons you don't find rat poison in the condiments aisle.
- timewizard 2y ago
  What I was getting at is do you have any data you used to come to these conclusions? It doesn't sound like you do. I would suggest that the truth is more subtle than you show yourself as willing to believe.
  - hnbad 2y ago
    Do I have data on whether or not the average viewer is going to assume that a show on a "News" channel they trust sandwiched between actual news coverage is going to deliberately present lies as factual information? Yeah, sure, good point. I guess there really is no good reason not to put rat poison in the condiments aisle.
- esbranson 1y ago
  > space aliens on Earth I, like most UFO witnesses, can tell you we don’t think they’re human in origin. And disbelieving an entire fleet of military pilots and support officers as they explain under oath UFO videos they were involved with .. because of entertainment shows is, well, kinda funny in this context. Especially since NYT dropped those videos. I doubt any amount of journalism, testimony, or videos would change your mind as you say .. whatever it is you’re saying.

deleted 2y ago

[deleted]

I guess it depends on your definition of journalism but there is a reasonable expectation that someone hosting a show - even if it's more editorialized and explicitly opinionated than other reporting - on a channel with the word "News" in its name would at least use a reasonably well-researched factual basis when making factual claims or presenting statements as facts in support of his opinion or argument, rather than outright deliberately lying. After all there are people who think there is factual evidence and undeniable proof for the existence of space aliens on Earth, cryptozoology or supernatural phenomena because "The History Channel" decided to give up on sticking to actual history and started airing whatever nonsense grabbed anyone's attention. You can argue that a discernable viewer could easily figure this out by reflecting on what they're viewing but there are good reasons you don't find rat poison in the condiments aisle.

timewizard 2y ago
What I was getting at is do you have any data you used to come to these conclusions? It doesn't sound like you do. I would suggest that the truth is more subtle than you show yourself as willing to believe.
- hnbad 2y ago
  Do I have data on whether or not the average viewer is going to assume that a show on a "News" channel they trust sandwiched between actual news coverage is going to deliberately present lies as factual information? Yeah, sure, good point. I guess there really is no good reason not to put rat poison in the condiments aisle.
esbranson 1y ago
> space aliens on Earth I, like most UFO witnesses, can tell you we don’t think they’re human in origin. And disbelieving an entire fleet of military pilots and support officers as they explain under oath UFO videos they were involved with .. because of entertainment shows is, well, kinda funny in this context. Especially since NYT dropped those videos. I doubt any amount of journalism, testimony, or videos would change your mind as you say .. whatever it is you’re saying.