The other evening, I did something I never thought I would— I switched off the BBC News at 10. Usually a staple in my daily routine, I found myself unable to get past the first few headlines. Instead, I opted for something more uplifting, like a comedy show or a heartfelt documentary about dogs. The tragic story of a little girl’s suffering and another complex conflict left me feeling overwhelmed, turning me, quite reluctantly, into a news avoider, which is ironically one of the biggest risks to journalism and perhaps even to democracy itself.
Around the globe, we are witnessing an unprecedented rise in news avoidance. Earlier this year, nearly 40% of people confessed they occasionally or frequently steer clear of the news. This is a jump from 29% back in 2018. Oxford University’s Reuters Institute found that many feel the news is overwhelmingly “depressing,” “relentless,” or simply “boring.”
For some, the blame lies with the sheer avalanche of information. Once, we had a manageable flow of curated updates, but now, relentless notifications keep us in a cycle of “doomscrolling” on our phones. Complex and seemingly irresolvable issues, such as ongoing Middle Eastern conflicts or the climate crisis, now confront us daily, compelling many toward social media for a mental respite.
There’s an even larger group who feel the news simply doesn’t speak to them anymore. Gone are the days when people accidentally caught the news after their favorite programs. With entertainment now available on demand, this incidental exposure has largely vanished. Traditional tabloid newspapers, once the go-to for many in the UK, have seen their influence wane amidst the rise of numerous social media platforms. More individuals globally find themselves as “news outsiders.”
While none of this is breaking news, it is certainly alarming. In 2024, as over half the world’s population headed to the polls, populist leaders and billionaire magnates found ways to sidestep traditional media scrutiny. Take Romania, for instance, where an obscure far-right figure surged to prominence in the presidential race, leveraging platforms like TikTok and Telegram to stir anti-immigrant sentiment. This came amid revelations of Russian disinformation meddling, ultimately leading to the annulment of the results.
News outlets, struggling with a crumbling economic model, have responded by producing content in more formats than ever—newsletters, brief summaries, podcasts, and in-depth features. While some of this innovation is exciting, filling in gaps left by local news outlets, the flood of information has just added to the noise.
A small example is the surge in alerts we now receive. Nic Newman, a key figure behind the Reuters Digital News Report, recalls when alerts were few, reserved for significant news. But their ability to drive engagement has led to a never-ending stream, sometimes about trivial matters like a TV show’s finale.
So, what can the industry do? Newman and his team devised a seven-step strategy to address news avoidance, centered around crafting news that is clear, useful, and engaging. There’s been a rise in demand for news that can be consumed on the go, inspiring podcasts that deliver news with an entertaining twist—an approach long embraced by shows like “The Daily Show” in the U.S. and “Have I Got News for You” in the UK.
Despite these journalistic strides, it’s challenging not to feel that our relationship with news is being undermined by a digital race to the bottom. Opinion pieces and entertainment options provide quicker dopamine hits than straightforward news. Many new content offerings, such as Substack, are behind paywalls, exacerbating fears of a knowledge gap. The danger lies in a potentially dystopian scenario where only those who can afford it access factual information, leaving the rest vulnerable to misinformation campaigns often funded by unknown entities.
Before we lament the decline of news, let’s remember why it is critical to champion its survival as a cornerstone of democracy. Consider Bill Wiley, an international war crimes investigator, who highlighted on Radio 4’s Today program the indispensable role of journalism in uncovering atrocities in Syria. In an era of uncertainty and collective disempowerment, accurate, community-focused, factual news is indispensable. This holiday season, let’s strive to cultivate constructive news habits. I’m planning to do so and am eager to hear your tips. Ignoring the news isn’t the solution. Here’s to a new year filled with hope and well-being.
