Nowadays, information is more volatile than ever. In such a situation, it is ideal to always keep yourself informed about what is happening in your country and in the whole world.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Keeping Up with the News
Step 1. Watch the news and news programs
It sounds easy, but it often isn't. The news is receiving increasing influence from various bodies and is far from impartial. The surest way to make sure they tell you true facts is to tune into different channels. Don't limit yourself to the news, follow TV stations that broadcast news around the clock as often as possible.
Step 2. Buy a newspaper
Reading the local one is ideal for informing you about the news that touches you firsthand. Also try to get a newspaper from the nearest metropolitan area, because this way you will get more news about your region or the neighboring one. Finally, subscribe to a national newspaper, such as Corriere della sera. In this way, you will be able to receive all the necessary updates on what is happening in your country and globally.
Step 3. Subscribe to magazines dealing with current events, offering news and opinions
Once you have an idea of what is going on, it is ideal to broaden your knowledge. A great way to do this is by reading magazines that allow you to do this, such as Panorama or L'Espresso. They feature many opinion articles and pieces that dig deep into the various topics.
Step 4. Check out the websites that post news as often as possible
They are updated constantly and usually feature more stories than on TV or a newspaper. Again, try to find a good balance. You can also subscribe to services that allow you to have a news viewer on your computer screen and learn more about the main stories. Email communications are just as useful.
Step 5. Download an app that allows you to read news or an RSS reader (News360, Pulse, Flipboard, etc
). Personalize it with current and historical events regarding the topics you think are relevant. Each morning, take 15 minutes to scroll through the main headings of all the themes in each category, and to try to read the articles that have a higher priority or meaning.
Part 2 of 2: Critically Analyzing the News
Step 1. Maintain good balance
Try not to close your mind to other sources. While you believe that the information you receive is distorted, pay attention to the manipulation of the news in order to better understand how the world of journalism works and what is happening.
Step 2. Read books written by experts, critics and commentators
Today there are many who try their hand at writing, especially political figures and journalists. The versions of the stories and the opinions offered by different professionals allow you to understand the various facets of the news. They won't always be glamorous, but they are great for keeping you informed.
Step 3. Talk to other knowledgeable people
Debate is an excellent tool for making your views known and confronting each other. A good dialogue always allows you to learn something, even if the opponent's point of view is completely different from yours. If you can't find anyone interested in arguing, use the internet to do so. Most news sites offer forums or blogs that you can subscribe to to exchange views with other users. Reading blogs written by other citizens is ideal for getting to know people's opinions.
Advice
- If you can't afford to subscribe to newspapers or magazines, you'll find the latest releases in the library, otherwise you can browse them at the bar or other places where you find them.
- Make sure you have good internet service. Reading the news can be quite frustrating if the connection is slow, unless you use RSS.
- Choose a good television package. Follow channels that offer news throughout the day.
Warnings
- Don't act like you know everything after acquiring information.
- Make sure you're actually interested in informing you. If it bores you, you will waste time, and it probably won't benefit you much.
- Always take what the media tell you with a grain of salt. Remember that most TV stations and newspapers are not impartial, and what they are talking about does not necessarily correspond to reality.
