American author, activist, and motivational speaker Peter McWilliams is well-known for his work on personal development and self-help books. He kept a close watch on social dynamics and frequently denounced media practices that he felt misled the public.

According to McWilliams, a prevalent problem with news reporting is that media outlets occasionally conflate fact and conjecture. They often portray rumors, conjectures, and forecasts as verifiable facts. This occurs when reporters cite 'experts' who may not be fully informed or may be tempted to embellish for dramatic effect.

Consider a chef who is cooking without fully understanding the recipe but nevertheless adds unnecessary spices to make the dish seem bolder and more interesting. Similarly, rather than recognizing these 'experts'' opinions as a single person's interpretation or conjecture, media outlets occasionally portray them as absolute claims. People who might not have the background knowledge to comprehend what is being reported may be misled by this.

McWilliams was especially critical of the ease with which certain experts could be found to offer their opinions on any topic, regardless of how ambiguous or contentious it may be. According to him, this practice frequently results in a distorted public perception due to exaggerated claims and unclear facts.

In his writings and speeches, McWilliams urged people to critically assess claims made by so-called experts, look for information from a variety of sources, and challenge what they read in the media. His understanding of how the media operates serves as a helpful reminder to be on the lookout for signs that distinguish confirmed facts from conjecture.