At the start of this year, 39 per cent of people questioned said they sometimes or often avoid the news, up from 29 per cent in 2018. They're overwhelmed by rolling news alerts and commentary, much of it horrific or worrying.
I must say my own attitude to the news is somewhat ambivalent. I want to know what's going on in the outside world, but I also recoil from so much outright brutality and misery - which I can do nothing about.
Of course journalists will argue that they have to give us the full horror of events like wars or mass rapes or barbaric regimes, so we realise just how dreadful they are. To skirt over sickening details or play them down in order to "spare people's feelings" is simply irresponsible.
But at the same time as we're made aware of all these appalling events, we're usually unable to do anything about them, which leaves us feeling not only depressed but frustrated and helpless. I have no influence over any of the public figures who could give us a better world. I can only watch as horror after horror unfolds.
In the end the only thing I can do is turn off the news and retreat into my comfortable domestic bubble, watching episodes of Simon's Cat, listening to Bonnie Raitt, and re-reading my favourite authors. Thank heaven for culture, which is always a reliable antidote to the savagery of the outside world.
My issue with the media is that it’s lost its credibility. There’s a lack of fact checking and instead, it’s biased and headline grabbing.
ReplyDeleteBijoux: You're right about credibility. So many stories just cite "official sources", whoever they may be, or they say "it's reported that...." Goodness knows if the stories are true or not.
DeleteMany, perhaps most, news websites are focused on getting people to stay engaged as long as possible (so they'll see more ads). This is even more true of social media. Making people feel angry or upset is a powerful way of keeping them engaged. So they have an incentive to focus on the must infuriating stories and present them in such a way that readers feel as outraged as possible. Stories of evil acts -- always those committed by groups that the target audience can be assumed to dislike already -- are prime material for this.
ReplyDeleteI want to be aware of what is really happening in the world, and a lot of really horrible things do actually happen. The Holocaust was real. Mass shootings are real. The October 7 attack on Israel was real. But it is enough simply to be aware of the details; I do not feel a need to wallow in them and become outraged and upset when I can do nothing to help. Most of my reading and thinking is occupied with interests which, like yours, serve as a refuge from the news. When I read a science book, I'm often struck by a sense of "purity" in learning about the study of objective reality, untainted by the good and evil of the world.
Certainly any story or news source that seems focused on making you impotently angry, and always paints whatever it reports on in the worst possible light, should be discarded. They have an agenda and it's not to your benefit.
Infidel: All very true. Luckily I'm not prone to anger, so anger-provoking articles don't stir me up. As you say, there's no need to know every last detail of some horrific event. Unfortunately lies and misinformation seem to be gaining ground over level-headed, factual news.
DeleteNick, we are aware of the horror all over the World. After the horrible Hamas attack , no excuse, the Palestinians pay a high price. I only give you a number , my husband lost 72 family members in Gaza, (22 children between 2 months and 18 years) 102 friends (docters, nurses, journalists, teachers, and neighbours). We have horror every day on our screen. I have difficulties to ever forgive what the Netanyahu government commits. Nearby we can always help, there are poor families around , homeless people and a gesture and only speak to them is important.
ReplyDeleteHannah
Hannah: What's going on Gaza is so horrific it's hard to believe it's happening. Saïd losing 174 family members and friends is dreadful. I'm not surprised you can't forgive Netanyahu for so much carnage. There's plenty of poverty and homelessness in the UK but the government is doing very little to reduce it.
Delete"Thank heaven for culture, which is always a reliable antidote to the savagery of the outside world." So true, Nick. Thanks for the reminder.
ReplyDeleteColette: I long ago gave up political campaigning, which had limited effect on anybody in power, in favour of culture and its immense rewards.
DeleteI agree Nick.
DeleteHannah
I do read the news and try to reach other than mainstream sources...no politician gives a monkeys what I think, but at least I can discuss what is happening in the world and hope to influence a future vote.
ReplyDeleteHelen: Yes, you might be able to change someone's views, but people are so often unwilling to give up deeply entrenched beliefs.
DeleteI avoid the news as well. If something big happens my brother will call me and let me know. Plus it will be all over social media so I'm fine not watching the news anymore.
ReplyDeleteMary: But social media churns out so much misinformation, it's often no more reliable than the mainstream media.
DeleteI am a news avoider. Like you said, can do nothing about it except get upset and why would I want to do that? There are things I do locally and nationally to support those in need and my Dave does keep up with the news so, if I really need to know something, he will tell me.
ReplyDeleteLinda
Linda: We give donations to several major charities and that's about all we can do to make the world a better place.
DeleteEither I overdose on news I want to follow, or ignore it completely.
ReplyDeleteJoanne: I'm a bit like that. Certain stories intrigue me and I follow them obsessively.
Delete"Thank heaven for culture, which is always a reliable antidote to the savagery of the outside world."
ReplyDeleteV true.
For me Nick, I realised some years ago that I didn't fit in with my cohort in terms of social/political views and philosophy etc. My soul is a conservative one (not Party) and I would look around me and I never really liked what I saw in the world - particularly the social, communitarian and moral decline. Friends and people my age would talk about 'changing the world' whereas I felt that I kind of missed how things were before. And with politics, most of my positions (about how to improve things) wouldn't get enough votes in Parliament against the prevailing leftwing consensus today.
So, with the respect to the news, I realised that there's no point to consuming much because (1) I fully expect things to get worse and (2) I am at peace with that. So, I shrug my shoulders to it all now.
For me, as your quote says, the salvation is the private solace and pleasures of life - like art and music - which no-one can take away from me. I can go to an art gallery or concert and know I will be happy.
Liam: Like you, in some ways I also miss how things were before. Before all the poison released by social media. Before chatting gave way to peering at phones. Before two-hour waits to get through to a call centre. Etc etc.
DeleteRe (1) and (2), yes I also expect things to get worse but I'm not at peace with that. I wish the politicians would stop feathering their own nests and get on with sorting the country out.
Indeed, art and music always make me happy, unlike all the political in-fighting.
I had a look on the blog of Liam Ryan. Oh dear a fervent Netanyahu supporter, admiring E.Musk and so Trump ! How old is he to dream of old times? He looks quite young. If this generation takes over power we will have a scary future. I suppose this young guy lacks life experience.
ReplyDeleteHannah
PS: Nick you seem nostalgic of the past too, I saw you as a very open minded , in the future looking person. Am I wrong ?
Hannah: Well, I can't speak for Liam, but yes, I guess his politics are rather different from my own. Which is okay, because I like to hear a few views contrary to my own - as long as they aren't vehemently anti-left. I'm not generally nostalgic but there are a few relics of the past that I wouldn't mind retrieving - like conversations free of the vicious hatred that pours out of the social media. And yes, I think on the whole I'm a fairly open-minded person. My views are always a work in progress, not rigid beliefs.
DeleteNick , I like to discuss with persons who have not the same opinions as mine, but I refuse to argue and discuss with extremist right wing supporters who do not defend democratics statements. Netanyahu, Trump and Musk as well here in Germany the AfD are for me not worth to discuss with. They spread hate and discrmination and I cannot understand how people can suöport Netanyahu. I'm a Jew and are more than ashamed abut what happens in Israel
DeleteHannah
Hannah: I don't know how anyone can support Netanyahu, Trump and Musk. They are so clearly anti-democracy, and in Netanyahu's case a shameless mass murderer.
DeleteI always used to listen to the news programmes on radio 4 but it is too depressing nowadays so I gave up. Husband tells me what's going on or I am oblivious.
ReplyDeleteLiz: Funny how many people rely on their husbands to tell them any important news!
DeleteReading the news is like trying to find stepping stones through a sewer. I'll watch the 6pm news but avoid the 10pm news, and I rarely put News24 on any more. I have to think of my mental health.
ReplyDeleteSx
Ms Scarlet: Stepping stones through a sewer is a very apt comparison. So many horrific stories I would rather not know about.
DeleteI tune in to know what's going on, then tune out when it gets so depressing. I met a lady a few doors away from me earlier, and all she could talk about was terrible things that had been happening. I couldn't get away soon enough. Merry Christmas.
ReplyDeletePolly: I can imagine that was pretty depressing. Did she not realise the impression she was making on you? Merry Christmas to you too.
DeleteNot much of a news watcher. I run the highlights but that is all. Most news stations offer nothing but opinion vs actual news. Social media is the last place to tune into. 24 hours of hate.
ReplyDeletePaula: That's it, so much media content is now opinion and speculation rather than actual news. Or of course endless celebrity gossip.
DeleteNick, I will admit to also not being much of a news junkie. I never watch it on the TV, but do svan the major headlines of several major outlet each morning. All of this takes less than a half hour and I continue to more enjoyable and rewarding activities, like reading a book. My husband on the other hand will spend several hours reading online news, so one news hound in the family is enough.
ReplyDeleteI wish you and yours a very Happy Christmas and look forward to seeing you in blog land in 2025.
Beatrice: I spend about an hour in the morning scanning the news and that's all. So much media content isn't news at all but celeb gossip, award ceremonies and pontificating columnists.
DeleteBeatrice: Oh and a Happy Christmas to you too.
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