KIRO OPINION

Markovich: Opinion vs. facts and the ever-blurring line within journalism

Nov 21, 2024, 11:06 AM | Updated: 11:08 am

opinion facts journalism...

The logo of the social network TikTok appears on the screen of a smartphone, and in the background, the flag of the United States. (Photo: Jaque Silva, Getty Images)

(Photo: Jaque Silva, Getty Images)

Accountability is expensive — now more than ever — especially in this new media age where opinion is far cheaper to produce and digging up the facts.

This past election showed the line between traditional journalism and opinion is becoming increasingly blurred.

More KIRO Newsradio Opinions: Marjorie Taylor Greene’s ‘good idea’ is actually pretty disturbing

New data from the Pew Research Center — and they do a lot of studies on how people consume news and opinion — found a growing preference for digital platforms and opinion-driven content over traditional media like newspapers and network TV.

It said 63% of Americans over the age of 65 cited TV as their primary source for election news this year, but only 10% of adults under 30 years of age relied on TV. The study found that 50% of the under-30 group relied on social media and so-called “news influencers” who provide opinion-based takes rather than traditional reports.

For a guy who works hard to gather facts and attempts to ignore all the spin from politicians on either side, that particular statistic is alarming.

News influencers rely on someone else digging up the facts, like a traditional media source — The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal — and then they give their spin. Opinion is much cheaper to produce than the cold, hard facts, but I’ll agree with a lot of you; it’s getting harder to discern the difference.

Legacy brands like CNN, MSNBC and Fox News consistently blur the lines between objective reporting and editorial commentary.

More from Matt Markovich: New motorhomes in WA could be banned in a matter of weeks

So where does that lead us? It’s my hope that you, the reader, will be able to discern the difference, and that media companies that value holding the powerful accountable will figure out a business model to make that happen because the old models are not working.

Someone has to pay for holding the powerful accountable because if that dies, what will pundits have to talk about?

Matt Markovich covers politics and public affairs for MyNorthwest and KIRO Newsradio.

Kiro Opinion

...

MyNorthwest Video

Video: The Best Food to Eat During the Big Game

The best part of the Big Game is often the food. Charlier Harger and Gee Scott talk about everything they plan on eating. What’s your go-to food when watching the game? Listen to Seattle’s Morning News w/ Charlie Harger every weekday at 5am on KIRO Newsradio 97.3 FM or go to MyNorthwest.com to learn more!

4 days ago

...

MyNorthwest Video

Video: Getting Ready for the Big Game w/ SMN’s Charlie Harger

Are you ready for the big game on Sunday? Do you know what you are going to eat? Well, we have got you covered. Tiffany Sanders of QFC and Fred Meyer stopped by the studio to talk with Charlie Harger, host of Seattle’s Morning News, about all the things we could eat and drink on […]

5 days ago

...

MyNorthwest Video

Video: Donald Trump Wants to Take Over Gaza!?

Gee & Ursula respond to Donald Trump saying the US should take over Gaza. Listen to the Gee and Ursula Show every weekday at 9am on KIRO Newsradio 97.3 FM. Listen to KIRO Newsradio 97.3 FM or go to MyNorthwest.com to learn more!

6 days ago

parking...

Chris Sullivan

Bellevue considering getting rid of free street parking

Free street parking could be going away in Downtown Bellevue, as the city struggles to meet the growing demand for spaces.

6 days ago

...

MyNorthwest Video

Video: Tesla is the Most Driven Car in Washington?

Tesla has passed Subaru as the most overrepresented car in Washington state. And before you start to go off about “driving a Tesla means you support Trump,” Gee Scott has something to say about that. Listen to Seattle’s Morning News w/ Charlie Harger every weekday at 5am on KIRO Newsradio 97.3 FM or go to […]

7 days ago

...

MyNorthwest Video

Video: Gee Scott on Economics in Today’s America

It’s easy to blame the President or others for financial troubles and things that don’t go our way. Gee Scott asks, at what point do we need to look at ourselves in the mirror and start doing what we can do? Listen to the Gee and Ursula Show every weekday at 9am on KIRO Newsradio […]

8 days ago

Markovich: Opinion vs. facts and the ever-blurring line within journalism