【正确答案】It has often been said that we live in the information age. Most people in the world can receive information about events far from where they live, by radio, TV and the internet. How much can we really trust this information and what qualities should the people who give us the information have? One of the first things that people need to consider when deciding whether or not to believe news stories is the source. Certain news organizations have reputations for presenting the news reasonably objectively, whereas others axe obviously biased and/or under the control of governments or organizations which seek to manipulate the media. If a news organization (almost) invariably supports or opposes a government or group, its objectivity should be called into question. A more difficult thing that recipients of information need to do is not so much separate fact from fiction, but fact from opinion. In an age when people can easily take quality photographs with cheap cameras and spy satellites can provide evidence from many miles above the earth, is has become hard to deny an accident has happened or other facts. Rather than deny clear facts, which would only reduce the credibility of journalists and news providers, these same journalists and opinions and standpoints. If a journalist clearly takes a side on an issue, but states this openly, people can decide whether to accept the ideas or not, knowing that the opinion is slanted. Journalists need to be investigative, seeking out information and opinions to present to readers, listeners, and viewers. They also need to be very good with words, expressing their exact meaning, often succinctly. Generally, I think that we can believe the facts we are presented with, but the problem is when these facts become mixed with allegations and opinions, particularly when those allegations and opinions are not dearly identified as such but are presented as facts in themselves.