Up until late 2006, I had been aware of the major news events dominating national and global headlines—the big stories that were hard to miss, even if you weren’t paying close attention. But somewhere along the way, the news seemed to take a darker turn, growing increasingly troubling. It became so unsettling that I felt compelled to dig deeper to make sense of it all.
By then, it felt as though someone, somewhere, was waking up early and working overtime to ensure the news was as bleak as it was becoming. The economy was rumbling with signs of an impending upheaval. Saddam Hussein was convicted and executed, with the events broadcast live on TV. From my perspective, the news seemed to be spiraling into the bizarre.
In an effort to understand why these things were happening and to grasp where we, as a nation and as a world, might be heading, I decided to dive in—to explore the chaos in the hopes of finding some clarity.
Starting from scratch, I devoted countless hours in every spare moment to immerse myself, to learn, and to understand the landscape—who was who and what was what. What I uncovered was far more prolific and darker than I had ever imagined, leading me to spend an unhealthy amount of time delving deeper.
Although I ultimately made it through unscathed to a point where I felt I understood the major players and issues, I would highly encourage others to approach diving down rabbit holes with caution and to balance their time wisely. I vividly recall an evening in late 2007, after thousands of hours of research, when I pushed my chair away from the desk, crossed my arms, and stared across the room in a daze. At that moment, I realized—something I’m sure many had already understood before me—that whoever controls the media, controls the people.
If you have any doubts about what I’m saying here, you can see this for yourself. One source I have found to be mostly reliable is CSPAN, as it allows you to watch events live from beginning to end without editing. It’s fascinating to watch a full congressional hearing or event on CSPAN and then compare how it is reported by various major news outlets. Both the left and the right tweak their reporting to sway you, cropping clips and sound bites to paint the picture they want you to see. Neither side provides the complete truth; they provide their truth—or, more accurately stated, the narrative they want you to follow.
During my research, it also became clear that the majority of people are merely reacting to news headlines and sound bites, often without a true understanding of the actual facts. When I first encountered the terms “fake news” and “propaganda,” I fully agreed—this is exactly what is happening. However, where people go wrong is in believing that the reporting from their political side of the spectrum is truthful while the other side is not. The reality is that both sides are guilty of spreading fake news and propaganda. Both sides are contributing to the division of our citizens, and shame on all of them for doing so.
Although I am not overly optimistic that traditional news sources will return to reporting just the facts—without opinions or messaging designed to influence us—I am encouraged by the plethora of new media sources available. Podcasts, newsletters, and various social media platforms now offer diverse options for consuming news and content. These sources often cater to individuals who genuinely want to dive deeper into the details, uncovering the actual truth rather than settling for sound bites or talking points.
Over the years, I have compiled a list of trustworthy resources under the “Resources to Strengthen Your Noggin” section. These resources have consistently demonstrated to me a commitment to researching and validating facts before disseminating their content. They have earned my trust through years of reliability. While I am referring to these sources, I strongly encourage you to verify their accuracy, as it’s always important to critically evaluate the content you consume.
Today, I am adding Jordan Berman to this list. Jordan dedicates an enormous amount of time to researching and learning about the topics she reports on. Her core premise is to deliver factual news without opinion or spin—a refreshing approach in today’s climate.
A phrase fitting for Jordan’s work: “True justice lies in the balance, often evident when neither party walks away fully content but rather equally unsettled.”
If your political persuasion leans left, Jordan’s reporting will give you hope, challenge your biases, and occasionally frustrate you. If you lean right, you’ll experience the same mix of emotions. Jordan doesn’t pander or virtue signal; she reports the facts and the truth.
If all your current news sources tell you exactly what you want to hear, are you truly listening to the truth? If you’re mature enough to be open to perspectives other than your own, I encourage you to check out Jordan’s work at the links provided.
