(Photo courtesy of Thisis Engineering, unsplash.com)
So often we can improve our lives by subtraction or deletion rather than addition or accumulation. If you are a political or news junkie and hooked on watching one of the big American “News Networks,” you are slowly impairing your health. As a related example, by watching less sports, I have more time to play and exercise more. Getting out in nature or spending time actively with friends is healthier and more rewarding than sitting home watching others chase their dreams. Wouldn’t you agree? Now, I watch my intake of sports. Then, there is something even more insidious. It’s being an habitual news junkie insisting on know the latest as quickly as it happens. If that is you, I suggest you drop junk news.
In an age saturated with information, discerning fact from fiction has become a daunting challenge. Not only that, several other things are so biased with the state of our national news reporting. First, is the spin a particular network puts on any story. Secondly, are the stories a particular network decides to cover and omit. Thirdly, is the tone in which a story is delivered. Watch for these and they begin to become so obvious. It matters not what side of the political spectrum you sit on or your favorite network. The relentless barrage of news, often sensationalized and misleading, can be overwhelming and detrimental to your mental health.
The term “junk news” aptly describes the low-quality, often biased, and sensationalized content that dominates the media landscape though it may be expensively presented. If you suspect you are a news junkie, don’t feel guilty. Networks spend millions on crafting their delivery and messages to get your attention and keeping you hooked so as to generate ad revenue for them. Every story has an editorial addition to it. Some you make like and attract you. The old adage, if a story bleeds, it leads. That, the basis of broadcast journalism, is literally dripping drops of poison for your brain into your psyche. It’s time to consider a detox – a conscious effort to reduce or eliminate junk news consumption.
I have followed three notable U.S. “news networks.” They are more like political bullhorns. One network features a “Situation Room” implying “Crisis” with its lead sternly almost yelling at you to share the latest threat. Day after day, that’s enough to get anyone excited and worried. Another network is so biased, with its sneers and innuendos so blatant, while a third on the opposite side of the political spectrum is likewise just as biased, but also so bizarre in its coverage and claims that it strains all credibility. It excludes many important stories. However, if folks blindly watch just one, you can quickly understand why their experiences are so different. Is it any wonder why we are so divided?
Furthermore, junk news is a breeding ground for misinformation and disinformation. The rapid spread of false information through social media platforms can have far-reaching consequences, from eroding trust in institutions to influencing elections. By reducing exposure to junk news, individuals can become more discerning consumers of information and less susceptible to manipulation.
To stay informed without succumbing to the pitfalls of junk news, a strategic approach is necessary. Prioritize reputable news sources with a track record of accuracy and impartiality. Consider subscribing to quality newspapers or online news outlets known for their investigative journalism. Diversify your news consumption by exploring international perspectives. Engage with news critically, verifying information from multiple sources and considering the underlying motives of the content creators.
There are those that will claim that they have a need to know instantly what is going on. To what end? Imagine you learn of a political or an another tragic event that happened somewhere. Except for sharing it with others, what do you do with this information? You do nothing. It just builds up within you causing you more angst. When and how often do you make important life decisions based on these news stories?
Let’s face it, a major reason folks like to watch the news is to have something to discuss with others, a new headline to discuss. It only leads to misery loves company and more draining conversation … and more worry.
What is regretful is the decline of local newspapers and local television coverage. Good investigative reporting is quickly disappearing. This allows those in power with money to do things that they may not have been able to get away with in the past if the local public had been better informed. Local news may not be as sophisticated or appealing, but often it might actually affect your daily life as well as decision-making. If you have influence, you may want to use it to support healthy sources of viable local news.
Now for significant political elections, and the facts (not opinions) decisions you might want to consider as to how to vote. Within days of you needing to make your decision, you will have more than ample time to peruse all the networks, podcasts, radio shows, books, etc. to get all the information you could ever require. By developing a well-rounded approach to information gathering as opposed to a daily news “entertainment” from biased sources, you can gain a more comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the world.
In conclusion, minimizing junk news consumption is a crucial step towards improving mental health, fostering critical thinking, and promoting a more informed and engaged citizenry. Nightly “news entertainment” doesn’t accomplish much of anything except to satisfy a “need it now” filler of time. By cultivating a discerning approach to news consumption and seeking out diverse sources of information, you can reclaim their mental space and become more resilient to the manipulative tactics employed by purveyors of junk news.
