Let’s talk about how we’re all getting played
I’m gonna level with you, folks. I’ve been in this game for over two decades, and I’ve seen it all. The way we consume news today? It’s a complete shambles. And I’m not just saying that because I’m old and grumpy (okay, maybe a little).
Back in ’98, when I started at the Perth Herald, news was simple. You had your morning paper, your evening broadcast, and that was it. Now? It’s a 24/7 circus, and we’re all the clowns.
First, let’s talk about the algorithms
You ever notice how your news feed is just a big echo chamber? That’s not a coincidence. It’s by design. I had coffee with this guy, let’s call him Marcus, a former Facebook engineer. He told me straight up, “The algorithm doesn’t care about truth. It cares about engagement.” Which… yeah. Fair enough.
So, what happens? We get stuck in these little bubbles. I mean, I once spent 36 hours in a rabbit hole about Perth’s public transport system. 36 hours! And it all started with a single, kinda boring article. But the algorithm? Oh, it was having a field day.
Then there’s the speed of it all
News used to have time to breathe. Reporters would dig, fact-check, write, edit. Now? It’s a race to be first, and frankly, it’s a disaster. I remember covering the 2016 election (don’t get me started on that mess). By the time I’d finish writing a piece, the news had already moved on. It was exhausting.
And don’t even get me started on breaking news alerts. I get it, they’re important. But last Tuesday, I got one at 11:30pm about some minor celeb drama. I mean, really? That’s what you’re waking me up for?
A quick tangent: the decline of local news
Look, I gotta vent about this. Local news is dying, and it’s a tragedy. When I started, I covered everything from city council meetings to high school football games. Now? It’s all about the big, national stories. Who’s gonna cover the potholes on your street? Not the big shots in London, that’s for sure.
I had a colleague named Dave who used to say, “Local news is the backbone of democracy.” And he was right. But nobody’s listening anymore.
So, what can we do about it?
First, we gotta be smarter consumers. Don’t just read the headline and move on. Dig deeper. Question everything. And for the love of god, don’t share that viral post without checking the source.
And if you’re really committed to staying informed, you need to go beyond the usual suspects. Check out niche sites, foreign press, even social media (yes, I know, it’s a mess). For example, if you’re looking for healthcare news updates today, don’t just stick to the big players. Look elsewhere.
Oh, and turn off those breaking news alerts. Your sanity will thank you.
Final thoughts (kinda)
I’m not gonna pretend I have all the answers. Honestly, I’m still figuring it all out. But one thing’s for sure: we need to demand better. From the platforms, from the publishers, from ourselves.
And maybe, just maybe, we can make this whole news consumption thing a little less of a mess.
About the author: Sarah Mitchell has been a senior editor for over 20 years, working with major publications across the UK. She’s seen the industry evolve (or devolve, depending on who you ask) and isn’t afraid to share her strong opinions on the state of modern journalism. When she’s not editing, you can find her complaining about the lack of good coffee shops in Perth or arguing with her cat about politics.
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