How Did Opinions Get In Our News?

A significant portion of Americans struggle to differentiate between factual and opinion-based news. This divide has widened over recent decades, fueled by online media and a growing disagreement on what constitutes objective fact, leading even figures like Barack Obama to comment on the importance of facts amidst differing opinions.

It's crucial to understand that opinion articles are not the same as fake news. Fake news is verifiably false information, while opinion pieces incorporate facts but aim to persuade the audience with beliefs and values. Opinion in news has a long tradition, dating back to the partisan beginnings of American journalism in the 1700s.

Early American newspapers, like Benjamin Franklin's Pennsylvania Gazette and The Gazette of the United States, openly embraced partisanship and opinion. The National Intelligencer even served as a quasi-official newspaper for presidential administrations, offering favorable coverage. While common, this practice sometimes led to controversies, such as the scandal surrounding Andrew Jackson's marriage.

The move towards more objective news was primarily driven by financial motivations. As newspapers grew beyond political party funding, they sought new revenue from advertisers who desired a broader audience, leading to less partisan content. The rise of journalism schools and press organizations also promoted objectivity as a selling point.

Despite the push for objectivity, newspaper owners still wanted to influence public opinion, leading to the creation of editorial pages. Horace Greeley pioneered this in 1841. Later, a significant development was the introduction of the 'op-ed' in the New York Times in 1970, which stands for 'opposite of the editorial page,' providing a dedicated space for diverse opinions.

The internet, social media, and 24-hour cable news networks have made distinguishing fact from opinion increasingly difficult. News commentators and hosts, often seen as factual voices, frequently express viewpoints. The overall tone of news has also shifted towards storytelling, personal perspectives, and emotion, further blurring the lines.

Opinionated news can still be valuable for fostering discussion. To navigate this, organizations like PBS and various news outlets offer resources and explainers. Reputable news sources often label opinion articles, and checking author bylines can help. Ultimately, it's up to the individual to fact-check and verify information before forming conclusions.