How valid and reliable are the statistics presented on the evening news?

Question

How valid and reliable are the statistics presented on the evening news?

Answer 1

Depends on the statistic you are talking about. Polls have a definite margin for error. Numbers about, say, unemployment come from generally accepted sources.

Answer 2

I know CNN and Fox and their guests don't take the statistics to heart. It's rather a tool to Gage the candidates showing.  The anchors  mention that fact.  However, news casters do report on Obama's flip flops which can easily be counted.    

Answer 3

Benjamin Disraeli is credited with saying, "There are three kinds of lies. lies, d****ed lies and statistics." That being said, statistics are only going to be as reliable as the organization that compiles them and the methodology used to compile them.

Reputable news organization ought to include some background info on the stats so that readers/viewers can examine the data for themselves.

Answer 4

The news media, in an attempt to discredit the Bush administration, (which bush needed no help in doing all by himself) deliberately used scare tactics, making our economy sound much worse than it was, and actually created the recession that has crippled America. If they are willing to go that far to promote a socialist agenda, do you think they would tell us the truth about ANYTHING??  Use the newspaper in your bird cage, use the TV for a bookshelf, and take a good look around you instead of believing their drivel!