The problem with balance

We Anglo-Saxons - by which I mean the citizens of the English-speaking countries in general, regardless of ethnicity - are culturally pre-disposed to fairness and balance, "two sides to every story", and all that.

This in turn leaves us ill-prepared for scenarios when there really is only one correct side. Take global warming, for example: there is no doubt in the scientific community that it is happening, that the cause is manmade emissions, and that to arrest and reverse this trend, such emissions must be cut. Of course there is a contrarian view, paid for by the petroleum industry; it just has no merit. Balancing these two views against each other may satisfy the rabid right, which demands equal time with truth for its dogma; but does this serve to educate the public, when the facts are clear and are only muddled by "balance"?

We don't need more balanced reporting; we need more accurate reporting.

[Update]: Check out this post by David Sirota on Kos to see what the problem is when you balance facts with fiction.