An article I came across yesterday reminded me just how low the bar has fallen for truth and facts in published media. [level-members]
Not that the article itself was flawed. In fact it was quite good. You can read, “The Internet Loves Wine. But Doesn’t Know a Damn Thing About It” here on the Vinography website.
As the article so beautifully puts it, “none of us is as dumb as all of us.” But when we read the stuff that comes through our social media feeds and blog subscriptions and inboxes without a truly critical eye, we’re opening ourselves up to mistakes.
What’s worse, given the echo chamber that is the internet, when a big-name media property – the New York Times, for example – makes a mistake, that mistake ripples out far and wide – and fast! – because of their reputation for, you know, actual real journalism with fact checking and stuff.
So, before you publish materials to your own followers, or make business decisions, do some due diligence. See if you can find corroborating evidence. Check sites like Snopes to see whether the “facts” are facts at all.
It doesn’t matter if you’re reading about wine, liability insurance, how to save money on your heating bill or the latest in accounting practices, vet the information you’re taking in, particularly if you’re going to repeat it. It’s the only responsible way to run and market your business. [/level-members]