Balanced News Resources
Due to the intensity of the current political climate in the U.S., and the way many news sources amplify fear and anger, I find it increasingly important to seek out news that strives to present multiple sides of an issue in the least biased way possible.
I have both education and experience working with individuals who have lived through civil wars and political violence. I have seen how entire populations can be manipulated by the media in many different ways. From what I observe, the U.S. is also in the midst of this type of manipulation. If you would like to understand more about this, I have put together this YouTube Playlist.
Most manipulation involves engaging people in ways that cause dysregulation. And, when someone is dysregulated, it becomes harder to use critical thinking skills. Critical thinking skills are what allow people to consider different perspectives, problem solve, remember their own values, and ultimately make empowered decisions. Without utilization of critical thinking people become more vulnerable to manipulation, which means handing over their power of choice to those who want to control them.
When people are able to see through manipulative tactics, they can make more informed choices. When people can stay regulated while still staying
aware they can maintain more balance. They can more easily pause and ask: What does this language cause me to feel? Is this actually factually true? Who benefits from me living in a state of fear, anxiety, or anger? Who benefits if I believe someone who thinks differently from me is evil, or stupid, or the enemy?
As Martin Luther King Jr. said: “The ultimate weakness of violence is that it is a descending spiral, begetting the very thing it seeks to destroy. Instead of diminishing evil, it multiplies it. Through violence you may murder the liar, but you cannot murder the lie, nor establish the truth. Through violence you murder the hater, but you do not murder hate. In fact, violence merely increases hate...Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”
These words remind me that violence takes many forms. It can begin with a single hateful thought or emotion that can grow and multiply. So, for those who are interested, I have been searching for more neutral and balanced news sources. As of March 1, 2025, here are a few I find to be generally more even-handed:
An alternative to X (formerly known as Twitter) is Blue Sky, a decentralized social media app that offers more control over your content and experience via: multiple customizable feeds, anti-harrassment tools, ability to create curated lists of suggested accounts to follow, and an open labeling system where you can define and apply labels to accounts or content. It has stricter controls on hate speech and you have more controls over what you see. This tends to foster a more safe and supportive environment.
I am certain there are other options I have not yet vetted or discovered. These are simply recommendations, and I encourage you to use your own discernment with any platform you choose. No site is without flaws. We can still choose where to focus our attention in ways that help us stay informed in a balanced way in order to keep our own power.
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