Every day, each of us is bombarded with information from all different kinds of sources. We have access to news 24 hours a day and even checking social media will often be accompanied by a newsflash or summary of something happening in the world as friends share stories and tidbits they have seen on TV, read in a paper, or heard in conversation. While on the surface all of this sharing seems to be a way to help us stay connected, it can have a downside. The American Psychological Association found that for many Americans all of this constant bombardment of news can cause anxiety, fatigue, and even loss of sleep or energy. On the one hand, it is important to stay informed and be aware of what is happening in the world around us, but on the other hand, in order to reduce our anxiety and increase our grasp on reality, it is important to be able to separate fact, fiction and opinion.
Katharine Graham, a prominent news publisher wrote, “Truth and news are not the same thing!” Being able to make decisions about information and its truthfulness help us feel more in charge of what is happening around us, as well as keep us from worrying or being upset about things that may not even be real.
But how do we make these decisions? There are a few guidelines and sources available to help make this determination. First of all, it’s important to understand that a fact is a true statement that can be verified or objectively proven. A fact is true and correct no matter the source. An opinion, however, is a statement that has an element of belief; it tells how someone feels. An opinion is not always true and can’t be proven by concrete data or information and can vary according to who is presenting the information.
Example: The song, “Blinding Lights” by The Weeknd, is number two on the top 100 Billboard charts for the week of March 20. This is a fact. No matter which source that lists Top 100 songs, “Blinding Light” will be listed as number two on the charts. To contrast, a fan wrote about this song saying, “I’m impressed brother. Nobody can touch ya with this one bro....vibe gives me chills bro and I haven’t felt this feeling from a song in years!” This comment reflects one person’s belief and may or may not be shared by others.
When we’re looking at news stories, it’s important to take a minute to decide if what we are hearing is fact, or true information based on several sources, or opinion, a belief being shared. Even if this belief is shared by a group of people, if the statement cannot be validated by something concrete or proven, it is still an opinion. The interesting thing about opinions is they are only proven right or wrong depending if you also have the same opinion. If you were a Weeknd fan and really love “Blinding Lights, you might agree with the guy that said he hadn’t had the feeling from a song in years. If you are not a fan, may not agree with him, but that doesn’t make his opinion wrong for him or yours wrong for you! One thing you can both agree on is the fact that their song is listed at number two on the Billboard charts.
Let’s look at another example of opinion and fact that you may have recently heard in the news. With regards to using bandanas or scarves for face mask covering it was said, “In many cases the scarf is better than face masks; it's thicker.” This statement cites no expert or medical resource to support its validity. Listening further, you might discover the following statement: “You might hear the claim that scarves can work better than masks; this is not supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's guidance to health care workers. While scarves may offer some protection, the CDC's advice describes scarves as a possible last resort if masks are not available.”
In trying to figure out what to believe when there is so much information coming at you, go with the facts that are supported by scientific research or authority. Anyone can make a statement about their beliefs, but don’t hesitate to ask for their source or evidence backing up their idea.
An important thing to remember is that opinions aren’t always false. You can form an opinion based on factual information. For example, you may have the opinion that washing your hands for 20 seconds several times a day is a good way to be safe from contracting viruses. Another person may have the opinion that washing hands doesn’t matter and doesn’t protect us. The first opinion is factual and the second opinion is fiction. When listening to opinions be sure to dig deeper to discover the information that the opinion is based on! It’s easy for any politician, newscaster or friend to give an opinion without adequate or accurate information. To be well informed, be sure to check the sources of those opinions.
There are lots of tools that we can use to help us determine if information we are receiving is fact or opinion. The first tool you can use is your own common sense. Does what you are hearing seem reasonable? Can you find this information someplace other than the source that is sharing it at the moment? Does it feel right? Sometimes this can be hard to do because as human beings we tend to believe information that supports opinions or ideas that we have. This is called confirmation bias and leads us often to believe things that may or may not be true. Opinions can be based more on emotion, beliefs, or wishful thinking.