You may have noticed recommendations to boycott META from May 6-11. Yes, that includes Facebook and Instagram, and I will try to follow suit. The boycott is to, at least in part, “pressure Meta into changing its policies, particularly regarding content moderation, fact-checking, and its treatment of LGBTQ+ communities.” Yes, some say the attempted boycott will make no difference unless one leaves the channels permanently, which I know many have chosen to do in the past months. Even then, many of us know in our hearts we need to continue to take actions (letters and emails to representatives, protests, etc.) to attempt to make our voices heard.

I know I’m among many who feel conflicted about staying on Facebook or Instagram. And yes, I admit my reasons for staying have been self-serving: I do still have a FB connected community I trust and value. Bigger than that, it is one of the no-cost avenues for me to share news about my writing, blogs and books. Even if META algorithms generally don’t prioritize what I share. However, we too know trolling on social media isn’t healthy for anyone, even though other times we reconnect with friends we have lost track of through traditional avenues.

Regardless of whether we boycott these channels or not, we all should work to follow news and information from the primary source. Certainly, I’d rather you come to my website or follow my blog, then scroll past what I post on FB. I’m sure other creators feel the same. And too, it is (always) a great decision to substitute scrolling time for book reading.

But in terms of news, perhaps you already follow NPR, OPB (or your local National Public Radio affiliate) and PBS, trusted new sources that are under attack at the moment. Discussions about who and what to believe, make digesting news and evaluating sources difficult for many. Here’s an informative chart to help us reflect on that. My pet peeves? Pseudo-science and conspiracy derived info. Viewing alternative sources from time to time is helpful, even if frustrating, to get a sense of what others may read or believe.

Although my intention is not to suggest all the great places to keep up with news, in addition to the sites above, I do offer these three I follow regularly – and yes, there are many more:

For those interested in public and occupational health, and politics and history:

Confined Space: A Newsletter About Workplace Safety Issues by Jordan Barab.

Daily Newsletter by Robert Reich (prior Secretary of Labor) on Substack.

Heather Cox Richardson on Substack (history and politics)

Even without social media, you can subscribe to my blog by email on my home page, peruse posted content organized in categories, or view my books. Visit at https://dedemontgomery.com. Many authors you might already enjoy (and new ones you’ve not yet heard of) have active blogs on their websites – check them out. While you’re at it, looking for new authors and books? Friends in the Portland-Metro area, please join me and 39 other local authors and small presses at the S2 Book Fair on Sat., May 17 held at Bold Books and Coffee! Hey, I’d even see you in person! That beats virtual channels any day!

Thinking of my favorite newspaper and communications guy. Definitely one who wanted to share the truth. From My Music Man, 2017.