Reflections on Media Trust and Language Learning

When I first arrived in the U.S. over two decades ago, one of my top priorities was to learn English. Like many immigrants, I enrolled in ESL classes at a community college. However, I quickly realized that the curriculum, heavily focused on grammar, was not the fastest route to becoming conversationally fluent. It felt like being taught to run before I even knew how to crawl.

A family member suggested I try listening to KPCC (now LAist), a local radio station in Los Angeles. Their conversational content became a valuable tool for learning English. For years, FM 89.3 was my go-to station in the car.

But over time, I noticed a shift in their reporting. While they claim to remain politically neutral, it is clear that their content leans left. This in itself is not a problem since media outlets are entitled to have a perspective. What is troubling is the lack of transparency in declaring their stance.

This realization has fueled my growing distrust in media reporting overall. It seems that many outlets focus less on informing the public and more on promoting specific narratives, sometimes even amplifying division between opposing viewpoints. The goal, it feels, is not only to spread a message but also to stir conflict, which drives engagement and ultimately their business.

It reminds me of how we only hear about the rare flight that goes down, while more than 25,000 flights cross the globe safely every day. The media thrives on the sensational and often overlooks the bigger picture.

For anyone learning a language or trying to make sense of the world, my advice is to stay informed but critically evaluate what you hear. Listen to learn, but think independently.

Cheers!