Rise in News Avoidance
A global study by Oxford University’s Reuters Institute reveals a significant rise in people turning away from news, describing it as depressing, relentless, and boring. According to the report, almost four in ten (39%) people worldwide now actively avoid the news, a sharp increase from 29% in 2017.
Impact of Global Conflicts
Wars in Ukraine and the Middle East have contributed to this worldwide increasing news avoidance, as people feel overwhelmed by the constant stream of negative news. The report notes that news avoidance has reached record high levels, reflecting a broader shift in public engagement with current events.
Survey Findings
Conducted by YouGov, the survey included 94,943 adults across 47 countries in January and February. Despite elections increasing interest in news in some countries, like the United States, the overall trend remains downward. Globally, only 46% of people reported being very or extremely interested in the news, down from 63% in 2017.
Reasons for Avoidance
Lead author Nic Newman explained that many people avoid the news to protect their mental health or because they feel powerless to influence major events. Younger people and women are particularly likely to feel overwhelmed by the volume of news. Trust in news remains steady at 40%, but this is still 4% lower than during the peak of the coronavirus pandemic.
Shift to Digital and Social Media
The report also highlights a shift in how people consume news, with traditional sources like TV and print declining. In the UK, 73% of people now get their news online, while only 14% rely on print. Social media platforms, especially TikTok, are becoming increasingly important for news, particularly among younger audiences.
Challenges for Newsrooms
Traditional newsrooms face challenges in adapting to these changes. While short news videos are popular, many newsrooms are still rooted in a text-based culture. However, news podcasting remains a bright spot, attracting primarily well-educated audiences. There is also widespread public suspicion about the use of artificial intelligence in journalism, especially for hard news stories.
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