Do the Work

The recent topic on a talk show was about the laziness and inaccuracies of today’s media. New outlets are more concerned with getting the story out first rather than getting the story right.  One of the show hosts referred to it as the copy/paste style of reporting.  They, the news media, will copy and paste most anything they see on social media or on a wire service without the least little bit of fact checking on the story.

They could give less than a damn on the collateral damage as long as they are first with the story.  The commentary on the talk show reminded me of something I read recently: Before you assume, learn the facts.  Before you judge, understand why. Before you hurt someone, feel.  Before you speak, think.

Our words and actions have so much power.  One simple thing we say or do can ripple down in ways we can never imagine at the time.  Things are seldom the way they appear at first.  Before you say something, judge, or react, do the work to get the facts and make an informed decision.