Merriam-Webster defines “perspective” as the interrelation in which a subject or its parts are mentally viewed.

And for those who need an example of this, all you had to do was tune in to any of the 24-hour news broadcasts Wednesday, and see how they reported the testimony given by special counsel Robert Mueller.

Depending on your political leaning, the outcome of Mueller’s testimony could have been viewed as either positive or negative, contingent on the television station you decided to watch.

I had the opportunity to view a little of the proceedings before leaving to go to work, making it impossible to see the testimony in its entirety.

However, I knew there would be plenty of stations that would fill in the gaps.

The only problem was that in most circumstances, I knew there would be a spin.

And I was right.

When I walked in from work, the television downstairs was on CNN and most of those I saw being interviewed were Democrats They, of course, felt Mueller had revealed the smoking gun.

Just out of curiosity, I went upstairs to tune in Fox and just as I thought, the reporting and interviews were all in favor of Trump.

So, how could this happen when they were all watching the same proceedings?

Perspective.

This is why I typically try to avoid these types of broadcasts.

While many are tuned in to watch their favorite commentator, they are not necessarily hearing the news.

They are hearing someone’s personal viewpoint, opinion or perspective of the situation.

In my opinion, if this is the only way you are getting the news, beware.

We as a country are giving news commentators too much power, and, like a high schooler, we are depending on them as if they were CliffNotes.

We want the shortened version and answers without doing the work.

I am not sure I am ready to abdicate to a Tucker Carlson or a Chris Matthews’ views.

I am old school. I want the Walter Cronkite version or Joe Friday from “Dragnet’s” version, “Just the facts, ma’am.”

Some might say we are living in a political climate like no other.

I don’t think so.

I dare say if there had been 24-hour newscasting with left and right political leaning commentators during John F. Kennedy’s tenure, he might not be so revered.

My column is by no means suggesting we shut down these types of broadcasts. There is freedom of speech and, here at the paper, we practice the First Amendment daily.

For instance, I get to write a weekly column.

All I am suggesting is that before you take to heart everything a commentator says, find out the facts and then form your own opinion and perspective.

Terri Cowart Frazier is a staff writer for The Vicksburg Post. She can be reached at terri.frazier@vicksburgpost.com.