The News Should Serve Us, Not Spin Us
I turned off the news after the 2024 election—not because I stopped caring—I care deeply—but because the media stopped doing its job. What should have been a lifeline of facts has become a cacophony of spin, speculation, and self-important punditry. They promised truth and delivered chaos.
The role of the media should be simple: tell us what happened so we can be better citizens. That’s it. Please help us understand the world and our place in it. Please give us the tools to make informed decisions, whether it’s about casting a vote, understanding international conflicts, or navigating the challenges of our communities. Instead, we get hysteria, entertainment, and, too often, outright misinformation.
I used to sit in front of the TV, remote in hand, flipping between networks like I was voting with each button press. This one’s too opinionated. That one’s too sensational. And this one? Don’t even get me started. But after the election, I stopped voting altogether. Click. Off. Done. I realized my remote wasn’t just a tool for navigating; it was my way of saying, “Enough.”
Imagine what a better news media could look like. Instead of treating every headline as a breaking crisis or every election as a horse race, the media could focus on educating us—not lecturing us but providing context and depth. What if, for instance, a 24-hour news network spent even a fraction of its time explaining the nuances of global issues—like why the war in Ukraine affects energy prices or how climate change is reshaping migration patterns?
Instead of feeding us talking points, they could teach us about other cultures, economies, and histories. Instead of pitting experts against each other for a viral moment, they could let them collaborate, compare perspectives, and offer solutions. Good reporting doesn’t just inform; it enriches. It’s time the media stopped pandering to our worst instincts and started cultivating our best.
The news should be a mirror, reflecting the world back to us so we can understand it—not distorting it for shock value. Think of the potential: a news industry that prioritizes in-depth reporting, investigative journalism, and public education over cheap outrage and viral moments. This is not about being boring; it’s about being relevant, about serving a higher purpose.
A well-informed public is the bedrock of democracy. Without accurate, impartial reporting, we can’t challenge our assumptions or engage with ideas that challenge our worldview. And without that, how can we ever hope to move forward?
Yes, news outlets are businesses, and businesses need money. But here’s the truth: there’s a market for better journalism. People are desperate for a source of truth. We’re tired of the noise, feeling manipulated, and having to filter facts from opinions. News outlets that take a leap of faith — trusting their audiences with raw, unadulterated facts — might be surprised at the loyalty that trust earns.
For those that don’t, here’s my warning: people like me are turning off the noise. We’re canceling subscriptions. And we’re not coming back until you give us something better. You’ve lost us not because we’re apathetic but because we care too much to settle for your offer.
It’s not too late. The news media can reclaim its role as a pillar of democracy — holding power accountable, educating the public, and empowering us to be engaged citizens. But to do that, it needs to step away from the drama and return to the truth.
Until then, my remote stays off, and I’ll wait for a reason to turn it back on.
