In a time of tumultuous political division, it can feel overwhelming to go online and see disheartening footage and unsettling stories. However, I think that people who choose to ignore these events and remain uninformed may be doing more harm to themselves than they realize. Here are some of the ways I practice healthy news habits while remaining an informed citizen and journalist.
As a journalist, I understand that it’s biased of me to think that everyone should engage with the news at least once a day. This doesn’t even have to mean reading the entirety of a lengthy article — although I do believe there’s value in doing so. Not everyone has the bandwidth to sit down and read over a thousand words every day. Luckily, modern journalism is evolving to reach audiences in new ways, with more and more reporters making social media videos, graphics, and even apps designed to reach the digital-first community of the 21st century.
However, there is one issue with this — some people are sick of being on their phones all the time, every day. At this point, many members of Gen Z have had phones and been on social media for more than a decade. It can feel exhausting to keep dealing with the same news cycles, especially in the United States over the past few years.Â
A major trend I’ve seen circulating online and in my daily life is more people going into “analog mode.” Merriam-Webster defines “analog” as “of, relating to, or being a mechanism or device in which information is represented by continuously variable physical quantities.” Even at Cal Poly, we have a club called Simple Club, where members get together to discuss how to practice intentional phone use, according to their website.Â
Even though my personal belief is that consuming news digitally is a valid and intentional way to use your phone, I understand that not everyone feels the same way. What’s great about journalism and news reporting is that they’ve always adapted to reach audiences in any format possible. There are still plenty of physical newspapers all around the world, including in San Luis Obispo. I also think that having news in physical media is important for record-keeping and remembering history.
One of the main reasons I’m choosing to become a journalist is that I love how the news media is so adaptable and accessible. I strongly believe that, because of this, it’s important for members of society to make the effort to engage and become informed. This way, journalism and audiences can have a mutually beneficial relationship. And no, I’m not just saying this because I want people to read my stuff — I really believe in the power of journalism!
So, the next time you’re curious about what’s going on in the world, I suggest finding news sources you trust and rely on so you can keep coming back to them. Stay informed!