With the Internet becoming a way of life for students, no longer are televisions, radios and newspapers their number one source of information.Time, many PCC students say, is one large factor in how they receive and digest their news.
Headline reading is a popular form of getting the bare facts, without having to necessarily process an entire article.
“My main source of news is from a widget on my phone,” said education major Amanda Osborn, “that updates every so often with headlines.”
Others agree, saying that they will only pursue certain news items if there is an interest.
Said anthropology major Christine Guzman, “If I hear something that interests me, whether it’s about our government, or a team I favor, I look it up for myself. So my information is based on word of mouth.”
But even with events moving so quickly, and pressure always a factor in the life of a busy student, many attempt to stay informed in any way possible.
The Internet has grown in popularity as a news source mainly because of its accessibility, wide variety of content and most importantly, the fact that it is free of cost.
“Let’s be honest. Students are broke,” Osborn said. “We aren’t going to pay $1.29 for a single song. Why would I ever pay for a newspaper when only some of it is going to interest me?”
“Information is more accessible and free online,” said PCC student and Army veteran George Kooshian.
In addition, Kooshian said, the variety of content on the internet means he is more likely to find news unfixed with bias.
“I hate commentary and anything trying to convince you of a position to take, which most television and newspapers do at times,” he said. “I keep informed by reading from online resources as such as The Drudge Report and Yahoo headlines. I also listen to KNX1070, and from there I attempt to draw my own conclusions.”
Kinesiology major Austin Seller agrees, saying he would rather form his own opinions. “I look for facts in the news. I really aim to avoid news that is based on opinions or seems at all biased,” he said. “By far, in today’s world political updates are the most important.”
Traditional print media, it seems, is not a prevalent news medium for PCC students. Instead, they tend to associate the form with older generations.
“I can name at least ten people I know who read the newspaper,” said art design major Marty Valdez, “but they are all 30-years-old and up.”
Seller adds, “All of my elderly family [members] still read the newspaper.
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