Writer urged to look at world from a different perspective

By Letter to the Editor on January 15, 2019.

Re: “Fact check your news,” Jan. 7

It was considerate of Paul McLennan to begin the new year by politely outlining his guidelines for reading the news. He mentions identifying bias, distinguishing fact from opinion, consulting multiple sources and considering different perspectives.

Indeed, these general principles are pillars of critical thinking. But I find them hard to apply without more specifics.

It’s not unlike the world of sports. Young soccer players learn the general rules, like “don’t get offside.” To do this, however, they need to learn precisely how and when to avoid infractions.

Similarly, to help readers think clearly, it would be helpful if McLennan outlined some practical guidelines he uses to evaluate information and information sources. In particular, what are the signs that a media outlet (or a politician, or a newspaper columnist, for that matter) provides reliable information?

Even more helpful would be a list of information sources that McLennan uses regularly to prepare his columns. We readers could then decide for ourselves whether his published opinions are based, as he urges, on robust information from more than one perspective.

One final suggestion. Perhaps McLennan might consider dropping his chosen role as the local voice of political polarization. Only temporarily, of course, just for one or two columns. Instead, experiment with a different narrative. Look at the world from a different perspective.

Introduce us to some ideas from more than one end of the political spectrum. Venture beyond simplistic perspectives of right versus wrong, left versus right, fact versus opinion. A more nuanced approach might give us all a fuller understanding of complex issues.

Sing a different song, Mr. McLennan, and give your readers a New Year’s treat.