The Challenge of News Avoidance

The decline in internet usage, which has decreased by 13% according to research agency GWI, may reflect the growing anxiety people feel while using online and social media. This change in internet usage patterns could be a result of market saturation or a response to the overwhelming negativity of news and media. The majority of publishers are concerned about the trend of users actively avoiding the news, with many feeling that media coverage is repetitive, hard to trust, and leaves people feeling powerless.

Journalist Amanda Ripley argues for a new approach to journalism that takes into account human responses to the news, calling for journalism that explains the news better, provides hope and points to solutions rather than just identifying problems. The agency's research finds that audiences are enthusiastic about explanatory journalism and Q&A formats, but are more skeptical about solutions journalism and positive stories. However, there is a growing trend towards solutions and constructive journalism, with media companies such as Deutsche Welle, RTL News, and Rheinische Post joining forces to create the Bonn Institute for Journalism and Constructive Dialogue.

The Solutions Journalism Network has collected over 14,000 examples of solutions reporting from around the world, while independent websites such as Optimist Daily, The Good News Network, and Positive News are trying to create a balance between negative and positive news. Young people, in particular, seem to be embracing these approaches, with Publishers are also beginning to integrate features that allow people to see more or less positive news, with Pink News including a mood control button as part of its recent redesign..