A lot of people discredit mainstream media these days, and not without good reason.

Big media has dropped the ball when it comes to reporting a straight story. Right and left-wing biases intertwine with the complete reality. Stories focus on certain aspects of an event while omitting others altogether. Conclusions vary in extremes depending on which side you happen to catch.

This crumbling of journalism has tainted our view of the truth.

I don’t think this is an entirely new problem, it’s just becoming more obvious with our access to information.

Much of the anti-media frenzy of recent years has been spurred by fringe outlets like blogs and podcasts. And many of those screaming foul at the establishment believe that these alternative sources are telling the real story that the mainstream can’t — or won’t.

However.

The agenda of the ‘new’ media is no different.

These outlets, while they surely began with the intention of spreading the truth, can only survive if they have continued support. And if they tell a side of the story that goes against their supporters’ views, they risk losing that support.

What would happen to Democracy Now! if Amy Goodman started talking about the benefits of oil and the hypocrisy of pipeline protesters?

Where would Breitbart be if they focused on the dangers of climate change and the plight of minorities in America?

It doesn’t matter the source, every outlet bends to their audience. They twist the story, appealing to those who keep them afloat.

Regardless of who you follow — be it a leftist blog, a far-right podcast, or the evening news — you’re not getting the full story.

It isn’t “Fake News,” it just isn’t the complete news.

And as inconvenient as it might be, the only way to get the whole story these days is to take the time to look at events from all sides.

Unfortunately, most of us are too lazy — or too stubborn — for that.

So divided we remain.