One size fits most...

We've all seen this message referring to how some piece of clothing, often a T-shirt, isn't available in different sizes. And the one size that IS available was chosen because it can be worn comfortably by different people with a wide range of shapes and sizes. Talking about energy issues seems a lot like this T-shirt. How can we as journalists talk about an issue like hydraulic fracturing so that everyone involved gains a better understanding of the issues and challenges?

The answer we seem to be heading toward is to start asking questions and to be transparent about the process of learning more. Some stories are from the human side of the issue, while others share the legitimate concerns of the industries or legislatures trying to balance the risks and benefits of the new technology. In either case our goal isn't to take sides but to show the complexity of the issue.

What do YOU think when you read/hear these two stories about current energy issues?

http://www.propublica.org/article/hydrofracked-one-mans-mystery-leads-to-a-backlash-against-natural-gas-drill/single
http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/440/game-changer

These stories show one side of an issue but raise a lot of questions about what's going on at the same time. It's obvious that these are not intended to give an unbiased perspective, but I think we can learn more by being honest about some of the reasons that have caused people to land on this side of the issue. Then we can go on to find out more about the reasons people have landed on the other side of the issue as well.

If we can show each side as openly and honestly as we can, we'll land somewhere in the middle.

-Carol Perry