Reference no: EM132867522

RE: Critical Thinking, the Media, & Possible Discussion Topics

Critical thinking is essential to the study of any course that includes business law and ethics. Because of the emphasis on media and: "fake news", conspiracy theories, allegations without any proof, emphasizing critical thinking becomes more important. In that regard, I am providing the following analysis for your review.

According to Brooke and Parker (2004), the media plays a major role in "perception". News media (print, audio, virtual, and visual) and the Internet counterparts are generally credible sources of information. Nonetheless, much of the information is based on rumor, hearsay, and gossip from heavily biased sources that makes it difficult to determine which information is legitimate.

They are of the further opinion that news media sometimes withhold information because of corporations, and individual restrictions as well as space restrictions, audience interests, advertiser concerns, pressure groups, and government official restraints. Consequently, news media selectively present facts, a widely used method of persuasion from a supposedly objective news media. An example of perception and spinning news reported is the 2020 General Election and the refusal of some media sources to accept the election results as valid and true (Brooke & Parker, 2004).

Therefore, there is no guarantee media is telling "the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth". Accordingly, we must be ever vigilant, question, and engage in your own research. In that regard, I continually work on honing my critical thinking skills researching and questioning facts. It is a constant and important work in progress!!

The following questions are insightful exercises in critical thinking:

(1) What impact did the media have on the second and most recent U.S. Senate impeachment trial of the former president?

(2) What is the impact of the media on the recent siege of the U.S. capitol?

(3) What is the impact of the media on the most recent "American Rescue Plan ("$1.9 trillion coronavirus plan unveiled by President Biden (Alonso-Zaldivar & Barrow, 2021, para. 1-2)?

You may reply to any or all of the critical thinking exercises and your reply will count towards your participation and as one of the two required replies under this week's discussion topic.