No news is not good news: the implications of news fatigue and news avoidance in a pandemic world
Author
Faculty Advisor
Date
2022
Keywords
journalism, news avoidance, news fatigue, misinformation, trust
Abstract (summary)
In an era dominated by a constant flow of grim news, news fatigue is becoming more recognized as a serious concern, even a health risk. Around-the-clock reports on the pandemic can seem unavoidable, along with ongoing coverage of political upheaval, climate change, and other major global issues. For some, the weight of the world‘s news becomes too much. A 2019 pre-pandemic survey of 12,000 American adults by the Pew Research Center found 66% admitting they were "worn out" by the sheer amount of news available to them. News fatigue can translate into a desire to consume less news in an effort to preserve and protect one‘s mental health. A Pew Research Center survey in April 2020 determined 71% of adult Americans say they need to "take breaks from COVID-19 news" while 43% said the news "leaves them feeling worse emotionally". The World Health Organization addressed the concerns about the impact of the news onslaught in the "Mental Health Tips" section of its website. The WHO offers this advice to the public: "Try to reduce how much you watch, read or listen to news that makes you feel anxious or distressed". Growing numbers are heeding this advice and reducing their news consumption. Some are opting for no news whatsoever as a means of coping. In May 2020, the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism at Oxford University examined the "infodemically vulnerable" in Britain, those who chose to reduce consumption of COVID-19 related news. More than one-fifth of those surveyed said: 'they often or always actively try to avoid the news," with the majority citing the impact on their mood. While mental health concerns appear to be the primary reason behind the increase in avoidance, growing distrust in mainstream media is also cited. While not a new phenomenon, the skepticism surrounding journalism was exacerbated during the pandemic as anti-vaccination advocates and conspiracy theorists questioned the validity and accuracy of the COVID-19 facts shared by news organizations, even governments. In this analysis of research, interviews, news articles, and social media content, I will advance recommendations for journalism researchers seeking to understand these issues. I will also propose strategies for journalists and news organizations seeking to navigate the issues and find solutions to help their embattled profession survive and recover.
Publication Information
Neill Fitzpatrick. (2022). No News is Not Good News: The Implications of News Fatigue and News Avoidance in a Pandemic World. Athens Journal of Mass Media and Communications, 8(3), 145–160. https://doi.org/10.30958/ajmmc.8-3-1
Notes
Item Type
Article
Language
Rights
Attribution-NonCommercial (CC BY-NC)
