Blog #1: Top 5 Sources of News & Information

     As a political science major, I try to stay as up-to-date as possible when it comes to current events. My top five sources for news and information are Instagram, TikTok, Fox News, The New York Times, and WBTV. Being a teenager in today's world means we often take to social media whenever we want to learn or share any news or information. We are growing up in a technologically advanced world, where media has influenced our own personal thoughts and lifestyles.  

    With that being said, my number one source of information is Instagram. On this platform, every individual can personalize their feed by following accounts of their own interests. Personally, I like to follow accounts that are associated with political affiliation, my university, close friends and family, as well as various news outlets. The same purpose goes for my second source, TikTok. Both of these social media platforms offer an abundance of opportunities for users to discover news and information. 

    However, in recent news, the United States House of Representatives passed a bill that could ban TikTok in our country. This will cause an uproar from Americans, as this media outlet is common amongst our nation's youth. These are my top two sources because social media is the most efficient way to stay up-to-date with active news and information. Though many people think that social, such as Instagram and TikTok, should be strictly reserved for the youth. I disagree with this idea and highly recommend that every person interested in staying informed become active on social media. As our world is constantly changing, so is the development of social media. 

    As I said before, I am a political science major who tries to stay active in current events and political activity. When I was growing up, my family watched Fox News daily. This news outlet has had an impact on my personal political outlook, so I continue to gather a lot of my news and information from this source. This conservative network brings a new perspective to the table, making it one of the most-watched channels in the nation. Even if you share an opposing political view, Fox News can teach everyone something new and offer eye-opening information about what is happening in our political world today. I like this source because it provides a very transparent outlook on American politics and the economy. I would highly recommend this source to anyone who wants to know the cold hard truth about our nation. 

 

   Another great source of information is The New York Times. This source covers almost every aspect of news and information you could think of. Anything from culture to health, they have active information on these topics. I have often used The New York Times for school projects and research, because of how reliable they are. This is why they are one of the world's leading news outlets and have won numerous Pulitzer Prizes. I like this source because it offers various perspectives on hot topics. They don't try to pressure viewers into conforming their ideas, unlike traditional news sources. I would highly recommend The New York Times for any type of news or information, as it is very reliable and accessible. 

    My final source for news and information is WBTV. This is my local news channel, stationed in Charlotte, North Carolina. Personally, I think local news channels are often more authentic than nationwide channels. Since these anchors are experts in news and information for your specific area, I feel that it is easier for them to create a connection between themselves and the viewers. Just as their logo says, WBTV is "on your side". With each session aired, you can tell that the newspeople are genuinely interested in what they are sharing and care about the audiences they are reaching. I like WBTV, or any local news channel, as a source of news because they are experts on what applies to your area but also share worldwide information. I highly recommend that everyone use their local news channel as one of their sources of information.