Chapter 2: Alternative Sources of News and Information

OVERVIEW

I trust the newspaper. The news people are very intelligent, and if they are giving the story, it must be true.

--SHOPKEEPER MOHAMMED IQBAL AFTER BEING TOLD THAT THE RUMOR ABOUT JEWS BEING FOREWARNED ABOUT THE WORLD TRADE CENTER ATTACK WAS FALSE

THINK YOU CAN BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU READ IN THE PAPER, HEAR ON THE RADIO, OR SEE ON TV? Think again. Newspapers tend to contain detailed information about local events, but relatively little historical background or contextual information about international events. If you rely solely on local newspapers for information, your knowledge of national and international news is likely to be incomplete at best, and one-sided or completely wrong at worst.

Reading publications from other countries is one way to get a more balanced view of world events. Try looking at how newspapers from England and the United States cover a particular event, compared to how a newspaper from the Middle East or Asia covers that same event.

This chapter lists online newspapers, magazines, and other sources to get you started, but remember that these selections reflect the author's point of view. Be sure to spend some time searching for different newspapers and magazines on your own, as well.