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.

Media Often Fails to Distinguish Opinions from Facts

Listen

Download
Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4184520/4184521" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Media Often Fails to Distinguish Opinions from Facts

Opinion

Media

Media Often Fails to Distinguish Opinions from Facts

November 23, 200412:00 AM ET

Heard on All Things Considered

Media Often Fails to Distinguish Opinions from Facts

Listen

Download
Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4184520/4184521" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

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.