We all get our information from different places and people and therefore all have different opinions on all things controversial and newsworthy. While many platforms have been branded as “reliable” or “trustworthy”, they still might not be giving us all of the information necessary to form a complete and unbiased opinion on things like the environment. Niche media, which includes ethnic media, can be a great source for filling in the sometimes large blanks that mainstream media outlets leave behind. Platforms that prefer to put out content that is specific to their values or ones that are trying to appeal to a smaller more specific audience would be considered niche media. These sources hardly ever sugarcoat things because they don’t have to like the big mainstream media companies do. Niche media is a world untapped but it has a lot to offer in terms of information and culture we might never have been exposed to before. Things like the environment should never be understated due to the sense of urgency surrounding the issues we face and that is why branching out in terms of where we get our news and information is more important than we think. 

When our parents fed us as a child, we did not question what we were being given because we trusted them and believed that what we were being fed was going to benefit us. This same concept can be applied to the issue I am speaking on because at times we can get too comfortable and trusting with our news sources. Granted, our parents are likely more trustworthy than executives at big corporations like CNN or Fox, but the idea stays the same that it is never a bad idea to always be questioning what is given to us in order to uncover the sometimes, upsetting truths. The environment is a controversial subject due to the gravity of it. Many believe that our planet is in dire and urgent need of help and we are the ones that are responsible for this, while others do not believe our planet is in trouble at all. It is true that a lot of these opinions are the genuine thoughts of these people but these days with the presence of media everywhere around us, what we see and read has a huge influence on our opinions and how we form them. Certain niche media and news outlets like The Texas Tribune is a way to introduce oneself into the world of niche media without diving right into far-left uncensored news outlets. Growing up in Texas, my parents were always a fan of the Texas Tribune because it was a non-partisan outlet that hardly ever showed any biases. It illustrated the environmental issues surrounding North Texas and why they were so important. Outlets like this are rare in Texas but they are important to recognize when everyone around you is watching Fox news every morning and night. More content and audience-specific outlets however are also great sources to use to inform and educate on the environment when other mainstream platforms cannot. 

Earthsight is a nonprofit organization that carries the goal of bringing attention to otherwise invisible pressing environmental issues through the use of reliable newsgathering. Outlets like these may not have their own primetime spot on television or a social media account with millions of followers, but they make it a goal to provide the truth to their readers and it is important to step out of our echo chambers once in a while to appreciate these organizations and take in all the information we can from them. Earthsight touches on things like climate change, natural resource mining, and weather to provide a well-rounded source of environmental news and information. While other mainstream media outlets do discuss these topics, they are often underplayed and sugarcoated to keep the readers happy and reading. Earthsight takes this risk because to them and many others, it is more important to inform the masses of their future than making a profit. Even local university newspapers like the CU Independent can be sources of niche environmental news that can help us take a step back when receiving our news and make sure we are being given the right information. Newspapers like these, with small and specific audiences, make more of an effort to appeal to what their readers want without the outside influence of money or politics. Our university newspaper has done many articles and pieces on climate change activism and the environment. One pro to outlets like this is that they can offer viable opportunities to take action rather than just taking in information. The Independent always has events and programs listed that show what we can do to help the situation in our community. That is something that mainstream media lacks and does not have the ability to achieve even if they wanted to. It is difficult to step outside of the comfortable bubble that is mainstream media, but it is important to be skeptical with news and ensure that we are not only taking in but putting out the truth through our newly created opinions. 

Niche media is commonly unknown or undiscovered but that does not mean that it is unreliable or uninteresting. Mainstream media outlets are easily available to us and fall into the status quo. They are the easy and safe choice when gathering news. However, in order for us to know exactly what we are talking about and acting on, we cannot take any chances with misinformation. I am not advocating for the eradication of mainstream media because I believe it plays an important role in the world and our country’s politics. I am advocating, however, for the use of skepticism when taking in news relating to the environment. Some niche media platforms might not have all right either so that is why it is important not only to look away from mainstream media at times but to look towards all different kinds of media, not just a couple of smaller outlets.