• Kalcifer@sh.itjust.works
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    16 days ago

    If you’re willing to believe a couple of random news outlets:

    https://www.axios.com/2024/12/09/altoona-mcdonalds-luigi-mangione-unitedhealthcare

    https://www.ibtimes.com/altoona-mcdonalds-flooded-angry-1-star-reviews-after-arrest-suspected-unitedhealthcare-ceo-3754683

    https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2024/dec/9/altoona-pennsylvania-mcdonald-reviews-go-negative-/

    Thanks for the sources! I wish that news articles would actually cite how they know things — it’s annoying to me that their statements regarding the reviews are essentially conjecture — I don’t want to have to feel like I need to just take their word for it.

    • kabi@lemm.ee
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      17 days ago

      I wish that news articles would actually cite how they know things

      Yep. When I actually started reading some news articles and quickly found out that I was on my own if I want to learn more or verify what I just read, really put me off that stuff.

      When I actually post something informative, it seems crazy to not include the links I already have anyway. And make sure it’s viewable in the wayback machine if it’s something so predictably ephemeral…

      • Kalcifer@sh.itjust.works
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        16 days ago

        When I actually post something informative, it seems crazy to not include the links I already have anyway. And make sure it’s viewable in the wayback machine if it’s something so predictably ephemeral…

        Citing sources is a practice that I think is sorely lacking in public discourse currently. I appreciate all efforts to quell misinformation and disinformation.

    • brucethemoose@lemmy.world
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      17 days ago

      Their reputation and past reporting is supposed to back up things they state as facts (like assuming that reviews they cite are real) for practicality and brevity. Imagine having to document every bit of background research in a presentable way.

      They could have included screenshots though.

      And the skepticism is healthy. I do personally ‘trust’ Axios (which I read almost daily but regularly double check).

      • Kalcifer@sh.itjust.works
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        16 days ago

        […] for […] brevity. […]

        I don’t agree that citing sources affects that. For example, anecdotally, a citation can just take the form of a footnote in the document.

      • Kalcifer@sh.itjust.works
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        16 days ago

        […] for practicality […]

        Imagine having to document every bit of background research in a presentable way.

        Well, presumably, that’s their job [1]. Being responsible takes effort /s.

        References
        1. “Journalist”. Wikipedia. Published: 2024-12-10T06:50Z. Accessed: 2024-12-10T07:47Z. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Journalist.
          • §“Roles”. ¶1.

            A reporter is a type of journalist who researches, writes and reports on information in order to present using sources. […]

      • Kalcifer@sh.itjust.works
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        16 days ago

        Their reputation and past reporting is supposed to back up things they state as facts […]

        Imo, this in an example of an appeal to authority — an argument isn’t sound because it should be, but because it is. I believe that it’s a disservice to the truth and constructive public discourse to not cite one’s claims.