To choose a news media outlet to rely on for factually accurate information is informational suicide.

Choose between relying on Fox News or CNN alone. Hold your breath, all those who scoffed when I mentioned the Fox news network. Step down from your high pedestal for a moment. For some odd reason, I hate when people profess their hatred for Fox News network.

Well, maybe it’s not too odd. I won’t deny that on the spectrum ranging from liberal to conservative, I lean more to the right. But that’s not why I would ever defend Fox news because they can be questionable.

The same goes for CNN… although I’m not sure if many people delegitimize the more moderate network.

One thing I’ve learned from being in newspaper and taking government classes is that everyone has an agenda and philosophy they are trying to push on other people. As scary and unfair as it may seem, this filters down not only from the everyday politician, but also through our news media outlets and even other media that has almost nothing to do with the news.

So who is more factually accurate? Neither channel, they are probably about the same.

It’s obvious that all news media range differently in ideals. CNN and MSNBC are more liberal, while Fox is more conservative. Not everyone agrees with how each network might present information, which is something everyone should consider among all channels.

However putting complete trust into one media news outlet is not only a bad idea—it’s a terrible idea.

To understand other people’s views and to truly reach a common ground, understanding both perspectives of an argument or of an event is incredibly important. Even if that perspective is perceivably wrong or comes off slanted to you. It’s just that important. Wouldn’t it be ignorant to listen to one side of an argument but completely ignore the other?

That’s how news media outlets should be approached.

Would it surprise you if CNN covered important stories that Fox did not and Fox covered important stories that CNN did not? It’s something to think about.

Most Americans are moderate when it comes to politics, but those who influence us every day aren’t most likely. It’s awful, but it’s reality. Although news outlets claim to be unbiased, bias is sure to be present.

When I asked my mom what news channel she prefers to watch, she said both because she likes to hear from two different perspectives. Fox news can be too conservative crazy and CNN can be too liberal or maybe just right. Take your pick on which you believe, but don’t only pick one channel to use as the basis of your beliefs.