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Media Often Fails to Distinguish Opinions from Facts Commentator Drew Westen studies the way that psychology and politics intersect, and he says the format of cable TV news -- throwing out a topic to two representatives of opposite sides -- capitalizes on a design flaw in the human brain. People believe what they want to believe, no matter what the facts are.

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Media Often Fails to Distinguish Opinions from Facts

Heard on All Things Considered

Media Often Fails to Distinguish Opinions from Facts

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Commentator Drew Westen studies the way that psychology and politics intersect, and he says the format of cable TV news — throwing out a topic to two representatives of opposite sides — capitalizes on a design flaw in the human brain. People believe what they want to believe, no matter what the facts are.