371 Media's Role in Elections: Insights on Accuracy, Bias, and Influence with Scott Slade

Scaling UP! H2O

“If you're calling it news. It has to be true.” - Scott Slade

In our latest episode of the Scaling UP! H2O podcast, host Trace Blackmore sits down with renowned journalist Scott Slade to delve into the critical role media plays in elections. With over 30 years of experience as the host of Atlanta Morning News on WSB Radio, and inducted into the Georgia Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame, Scott brings unparalleled expertise and insight into the influence, accuracy, and bias of media as we approach the upcoming presidential election.

Key Takeaways from the Episode

The Importance of Accuracy in Journalism Scott Slade emphasizes that journalism is the first draft of history, highlighting the paramount importance of accuracy in traditional media. "It's your job to tell a balanced story, "He states, underscoring the responsibility of journalists to provide truthful and comprehensive coverage.

Diversifying News Sources Slade advises against relying on a single news source, advocating for a well-rounded media diet. He champions the legitimacy and depth provided by local newspapers and stresses the need to consume news from multiple outlets to avoid the echo chamber effect.

Scott advises, "Read a strong daily newspaper or two every day, even if it's online. Listen to more than one radio and TV station, and don't get caught in the echo chamber of ideas."

The Dangers of Soundbites In today's fast-paced media landscape, soundbites can easily be taken out of context when there's a sensational sound bite. Scott recommends a thorough approach: "You should try to understand the who, the what, the when, the where, and the how of where that soundbite came from and why it's being used in the story.” He warns against the sensationalism that can arise from these snippets and encourages listeners to seek out the full story to grasp the context and nuances behind the headlines, and reminds us that “It's up to the journalist to make sure you (the audience) understand the context.

Social Media as a News Source While social media can be a convenient way to stay informed, Slade cautions against using it as a primary news source due to its potential for inaccuracy. He suggests prioritizing more reliable and vetted sources for critical information.

Scott notes, "If I had to give up something, as far as being in the know about what's really going on, I think social media would be the first thing I’d give up. It has great entertainment value but when it comes to making decisions about things where you need to really rely on what's truthful and accurate. It can come up lacking."

Factors that Drive Newsworthiness Slade outlines five key news values that attract the most attention: locality, universality, celebrity involvement, conflict, and oddity. Stories that meet these criteria are more likely to engage and inform the public. Scott shares, "If your story can fill one, or even better, more of those slots, it's usually a good one."

Media’s Influence on Elections

The Power of Perception Media has a substantial influence on shaping public perception during elections. Scott explains, "Media can present a perception of someone by what they include and what they leave out." By choosing what to include and what to omit, media outlets can significantly impact voters' views.

Upholding the Founding Fathers’ Intent In a thought-provoking discussion, Slade and Blackmore touch on whether modern media upholds the First Amendment's intent. While media's role has evolved, the core responsibility of seeking and reporting truth remains unchanged.

Scott remarks, "The society of professional journalists begins with seeking truth and reporting it."

Advice for First-Time Voters For first-time voters feeling overwhelmed, Slade offers practical advice: "Preparation is the best remedy for stage fright. Knowledge is power." He encourages young voters to research candidates based on what matters most to them and to avoid the pitfalls of one-sided arguments.

Final Thoughts This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intricate relationship between media and elections. Scott Slade's insights provide valuable guidance on navigating the complex media landscape, ensuring you stay informed and make well-rounded decisions as we head into the election season.

Listen to the Full Episode

Don’t miss this enlightening conversation with Scott Slade. Tune in to Scaling UP! H2O and gain a deeper understanding of the media's role in elections.

Stay informed, stay engaged, and let's navigate this election season together!

Timestamps

01:00 - Trace Blackmore celebrates 4th of July with our global audience and reflects on historical figure Patrick Henry

08:15 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals

18:00 - Getting to know Scott Slade and his career

31:29 - Interview with Scott Slade, unbiased news

01:22:22 - Drop by Drop With James McDonald

Quotes

“The earth belongs always to the living generation… Every constitution, then, and every law, naturally expires at the end of 19. years. If it is enforced longer, it is an act of force and not of right.” - Thomas Jefferson

“Journalism is the first draft of history and there is nothing more important than accuracy when it comes to traditional media.” - Scott Slade

“As a journalist, it's your job to tell a balanced story.” - Scott Slade

“Nothing beats the kind of legitimacy that comes from a well-staffed local newspaper. They have the personnel and the time to dig out the details. They go deep on stories that really matter.” - Scott Slade

“There’s nothing more boring than a one-sided argument.” - Scott Slade

Connect with Scott Slade

Email: [e-mail]

Scott’s Links Mentioned

Pew Research Center

Pew’s report titled “Americans’ Top Policy Priority for 2024: Strengthening the Economy”

Georgia Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame

Atlanta Journal Constitution News

Atlanta’s Morning News

Google News

Associated Press

Scaling UP! Links Mentioned

Mike Rowe reading Patrick Henry’s “Give me liberty, give me death” speech

The the Society of Professional Journalists Code of Ethics

The Hang July 11, 2024

FREE Legionella Resources Page

Industrial Water Week 2024

AWT’s Ray Baum Memorial Water Treater of the year award

The Rising Tide Mastermind

Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses

Submit a Show Idea

AWT (Association of Water Technologies)

Books Mentioned

White Tigers: My Secret War in North Korea by Ben S. Malcom and Ron Martz

The Secret: A Jack Reacher Novel by Lee Child & Andrew Child

How to Tell a Story: The Essential Guide to Memorable Storytelling from The Moth by The Moth

Drop By Drop with James

In today’s episode, I have a challenge for you. The challenge is… calculate the softening capacity of your water softener based upon incoming water. Seriously, get a pen and paper or even Excel and calculate it. Does your answer match the actual setpoint on the softener? Why would you want to set the softener lower than the theoretical maximum softening capacity you just calculated? What can impact the functional softening capacity of a water softener? Is it possible for the incoming hard water quality to change over time? How could iron in the incoming water impact softening capacity? Water softeners are more complex than that enclosed vessel you see before you day after day. Learning the nuances of how it works and what can cause it to behave differently will make you a stronger water treater.

2024 Events for Water Professionals

Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.