Comments on: What news is news http://my.counseling.org/2009/08/20/what-news-is-news/ ACA blogs, written by counselors, for counselors: Wed, 08 Feb 2012 20:16:39 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Jessica Diaz http://my.counseling.org/2009/08/20/what-news-is-news/comment-page-1/#comment-134 Jessica Diaz Thu, 27 Aug 2009 12:55:58 +0000 http://my.counseling.org/?p=410#comment-134 This is a really difficult question without a easy answer. It all really depends on topic area you are interested in. There is no catch all site for everything. When it comes to the area of politics, I would actually (and yes I would actually do this) contact my local government representative. This may be your senator or congressman. If you have never done this, try it. You would be surprised by the response. They have staffers who by virtue of necessity have become experts in their areas, which always include the "hot topics" of the day and are generally more than happy to discuss the issue you are concerned about. A great resource is also ACA. They have an entire department dedicated to public policy issues and are really informed about how the issues effect you as a counselor and mental health professional. You should give them a call AND ask how you can help. Students... Wikipedia is not an appropriate reference!! I was working for a short time as the graduate assistant to a journal editor. When wikipedia first became popular we found a number of submissions from students who used wikipedia as a reference source. In general, I believe the best source of reliable information is a combination of reaching out to the experts when possible, doing research the same way you would for your professional questions, and getting as many points of view as possible. This is a really difficult question without a easy answer. It all really depends on topic area you are interested in. There is no catch all site for everything. When it comes to the area of politics, I would actually (and yes I would actually do this) contact my local government representative. This may be your senator or congressman. If you have never done this, try it. You would be surprised by the response. They have staffers who by virtue of necessity have become experts in their areas, which always include the “hot topics” of the day and are generally more than happy to discuss the issue you are concerned about. A great resource is also ACA. They have an entire department dedicated to public policy issues and are really informed about how the issues effect you as a counselor and mental health professional. You should give them a call AND ask how you can help.

Students… Wikipedia is not an appropriate reference!! I was working for a short time as the graduate assistant to a journal editor. When wikipedia first became popular we found a number of submissions from students who used wikipedia as a reference source.

In general, I believe the best source of reliable information is a combination of reaching out to the experts when possible, doing research the same way you would for your professional questions, and getting as many points of view as possible.

]]> By: Rosemary Tinetti http://my.counseling.org/2009/08/20/what-news-is-news/comment-page-1/#comment-132 Rosemary Tinetti Wed, 26 Aug 2009 14:47:48 +0000 http://my.counseling.org/?p=410#comment-132 I recently heard the statement: "Everyone has a right to their own opinions, but nobody has the right to their own facts." Getting the actually facts communicated seems to be the biggest challenge these days on blogs, radio and talk shows, and other media outlets that often more interested in spinning or even misrepresenting the facts. Where are the most factually reliable sites? I recently heard the statement: “Everyone has a right to their own opinions, but nobody has the right to their own facts.” Getting the actually facts communicated seems to be the biggest challenge these days on blogs, radio and talk shows, and other media outlets that often more interested in spinning or even misrepresenting the facts.
Where are the most factually reliable sites?

]]>