Why It's So Important to #readthenews

In today's day and age, the best way to combat the prevalent mis–and dis–information is to #readthenews .

Nowadays, when many traditional sources of news are forced to reckon with a significant drop in readership–especially as a result of social media–it is more important than ever to keep up with national and international events.

The logic behind reading the news appears self-evident. But it's important to keep in mind that following current issues is vital on both a personal level and as a debater.

Reading the news for debate

As a debater, one of the major rationales for reading the news is simply that resolutions are often written directly based upon the most recent news stories. Besides this, being the most educated person in the room goes a long way in a debate.

Reading the news can:

• Get you a head start on a specific topic

• Contribute to a larger picture about a problem or issue

• Add to general knowledge applicable to many different debates

• Broaden your horizons or introduce alternative viewpoints

Reading the news, even for just a few minutes each day, can give debaters a major edge.

Reading the news for life

Nowadays, more and more Americans are reporting that they get their news from social media as supposed to print news. Considering the prevalence of falsehoods emanating from these platforms, it is more essential than ever to sort fact from fiction.

Reading the news is an excellent way to stay up-to-date on accurate information rather than relying on the murky world of social media for current events. A cornerstone of political participation is a well-informed populace, so reading the news helps to maintain our federal democratic republic.

Besides that, reading the news builds awareness about important topics. The first step to cultivating meaningful change is education. Stay on top of key news stories to remain informed about impactful issues in today's world.

Closing Thoughts

Whether as a debater or as a member of society, reading the news is critical. Hone your parli skills, participate in our political process, and don't forget to #readthenews !