Peirspictiochtai Ar An Saol
Zero-Based News
Part Twenty-Six
This news column is the final one in this series on the implementation of Zero-Based News.
The series included news columns that detailed a variety of aspects of how information is presented to people through news coverage in this country.
As a consumer of news, it's important that you consider the source of information, the type of entity providing the news, the structure of the entity providing the news, and the ownership of the entity providing the news.
As a consumer of news, it's important that you consider who determined that the information is news, why they considered it news, and the techniques used to gather the news.
As a consumer of news, it's important that you consider whether the information presented as news is drama or reality or a combination where the lines are blurred.
As a consumer of news, it's important that you understand how statistics and numbers can affect information in news coverage, how cherry-picking information can alter how news is presented, how anonymous sources can influence news coverage, and how self-censorship can impact news coverage.
As a consumer of news, it's important that you understand the differences between news coverage that is impartial, news coverage that advocates a position, news coverage that sells a product or service, news coverage that provides analysis of an issue, news coverage that is investigative in nature, information identified specifically as an opinion, and other types of news coverage.
"Truth Is A Series Of Facts Put In Context" is not just a motto.
It's the underpinning of Zero-Based News.
A summary of the key facets of Zero-Based News is as follows:
Determine your audience – whether it be focused on a specific geographic area, a specific subject, a specific group, or something else.
Understand the difference between what the audience needs to know and what the audience wants to know.
Be accurate with facts: Gather information from original sources when possible, confirm facts through two independent sources if possible, identify sources of information, avoid using anonymous sources except in specific cases where identification of a specific source would endanger either that source or others, and identify specific quotes made by individuals and entities.
Don't present two sides of an issue. Don't present both sides of an issue. Instead, present all sides of an issue.
Avoid assumptions. Facts should be placed in context. Fairness is critical to all.
News coverage should only be disseminated once all of these steps have been taken. Being first to market as the ultimate goal, without all of the other aspects noted above, is not acceptable.
If, after dissemination of news, further clarification is determined to be appropriate, update the news coverage. If, after dissemination of news, a mistake is found to have been included in the initial news coverage, correct the mistake.
One of the key elements of Zero-Based News is that there needs to be a balance in the presentation of news: "If you hit people over the head with a two-by-four all the time, they will stop listening, stop reading, and stop viewing."
Most human beings don't want to be reminded all of the time of the horror, evil, mismanagement, malfeasance, and every other noun and adjective that one can imagine that details problems in their community, in our society, and in the world.
Most human beings need to know that there is a lightness to life. There are times to smile. Ways to enjoy their lives.
Zero-Based News includes information that brings smiles to readers, listeners, and viewers.
Implementation of Zero-Based News includes specific strategic steps that utilize plain pieces of white paper to identify the audience for the news coverage, the needs and wants of that audience, and other key items.
Implementation of Zero-Based News includes specific strategic steps that utilize spreadsheets to keep track of news coverage and identify follow-up opportunities to further news coverage.
Zero-Based News is a way to transform "Truth Is A Series Of Facts Put In Context" from just a motto into news coverage that provides information to help people make their own decisions in life.
The next news column will begin a series of news columns that focus on the implementation of Zero-Based Law Enforcement.
Peirspictiochtai Ar A Saol – Gaelic – Irish – for "Perspectives On Life" is a column focused on aspects of accountability and responsibility as well as ways people look at life.
Contact Richard McDonough at
© 2025 Richard McDonough
