Critical thinking
This topic shows you how to think critically, find hidden contexts and read between the lines
Exercise
Which of the following texts does show that journalist is NOT objective:
Today in the morning at 10 p.m. fell the roof of the pub in the Vajnorská street in Bratislava. Two customers were slightly injured. They were taken to hospital in Ružinov. According to the spokesman of the hospital, Anna Sucha, both injured were treated and sent home. They will be unable to work for one week.
Correct answer: Incorrect
This is objective report, all necessary information is included, including relevant source, it uses neutral language
Two barflies in the pub at Vajnorska street could easily lose their lives. Local pub’s roof has fallen on them and they had to be taken to hospital by the ambulance. Afterwards they were released home to heal themselves at home-care.
Correct answer: Correct
It is subjective as author says that they could lose their lives without any evidence, he is not completely lying, just exaggerating.
One of the very much discussed issues in media is government actions increasing the national dept of Slovakia. Which one of the sources informs the most objectively?
Prime minister at his blog explains how his administration is going to cope with it, and that only opposition makes it bigger problem than it really is.
Correct answer: Incorrect
It is not reliable and credible source as prime minister’s own administration did the resolution, therefore it is likely he would try to make reality looks fancier
National bank of Slovakia published an analysis on development of our national dept. In the study there is also a scenario included, which says that if none of the next administrations would save expenses, our debt will become three times higher.
Correct answer: Correct
National bank is independent institution, study on debt was prepared by the analysts, who except mapping current situation, created also several scenarios about how could the debt possibly evolve. Analysis is a primary source.
News article informing that the country can easily find itself at the edge of the bankruptcy, based on the study of the National bank.
Correct answer: Incorrect
News article is a secondary source. Journalist cherry-picked one information and interpreted it himself - country can easily find itself at the edge of bankruptcy. But that is just one scenario, which could happen only in case when none of the following governments would do something against it.