Can we trust the media for accurate information on the economy?

Journalists will always seek out economic analysts that agree with their pre-disposed political viewpoints. Economists have economic viewpoints that are all over the spectrum. Bottom line: nobody knows with certainty because the economy is just too complex to model.





Example: here are two different takes on the same story:





#1 http://finance.yahoo.com/news/4th-quarte…


"The economy expanded at an annual rate of 5.7 percent in the fourth quarter, the second straight quarter of growth. But analysts warn it's unsustainable."





#2 http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=2…


“We are getting on to something that is pretty sustainable,” said Bruce Kasman, chief economist at JPMorgan Chase %26amp; Co. in New York, who correctly forecast the gain in GDP.





So my question is why does anybody put trust is one particular article that predicts something about the economy when it is always possible to find an equally reliable source that predicts the opposite?|||that's the beauty of the field of economics. The facts are on the table; the 5.7 percent increase in the fourth quarter. What follows now is that economists will reach different perspectives on whether this is a good sign or not.





The trick is to check even MORE sources and follow the one that is backed with more facts. Remember, the social sciences have a lot of room for interpretation, and different experts will have conflicting results.|||No, these are just more happy faces from the media, never have I heard an accurate assessment of the state of the economy...Throw the Republicrat/Demolicians out! Leave the Democrat and Republican parties. Vote Independent, "Independent” which is really “Decline to State” or “No Party”. The last true American party left.





Basically,if you study the economic structure, Macro and Micro economic theory, read a few different books on different opinions, be sure to take a few courses in higher mathematics as well, then watch, "Zeitgeist" for an alternative view, you can figure out the system, which is broken....|||There are certainly many ways to spin ANY information.


I think the real issue with the economy is what is more important to YOU?


There are some people that care more about government spending than with consumer spending.


SO, the new news is good for some, and bad for others.|||I have noted that the media tends to have "experts" that can be counted on to tow whatever party line the MSM wants to push.