I don't know what other people mean by middle, but what I do is take the things that are agreed on by most organisations as probably true, and disregard the rest.

Source A: An abused elephant got revenge on its handlers today, striking back and making a break for freedom.

Source B: Elephant attack! 5 gravely injured, including a mother of 3, as a crazed elephant breaks loose. Authorities still investigating.

Source C: Minister for Elephants grilled over lax elephant regulations. Angry citizens are demanding to know why legislation had not been put in place to prevent this tragedy.

My take away: Something happened, people got hurt, an elephant was involved.

Me at the water cooler: You hear about the elephant thing? Pretty crazy right.