Look, We’ve Got a Problem
Let me tell you something, folks. I’ve been in this game for over 20 years, and I’ve seen alot of changes. But honestly, the state of the news cycle right now? It’s completley messed up. I’m not just talking about the obvious stuff—fake news, clickbait, all that. I’m talking about the deeper issues, the ones that keep me up at night.
I remember back in ’98, when I was a young reporter at the Perth Herald. We had a guy named Marcus—let’s call him that—who used to say, ‘News is like a good steak, Sarah. It takes time to cook, and you can’t rush it.’ And he was right. But now? Now it’s all about speed. The 24-hour news cycle has turned into a 24-second news cycle, and it’s killing us.
I was at a conference in Austin last year, and a colleague named Dave said something that stuck with me. He said, ‘We’re not reporting news anymore. We’re just reporting reactions to news.’ And that’s the truth. It’s like we’re all stuck in this endless loop of outrage and half-baked takes.
But Why Should You Care?
Because it affects you, that’s why. You’re not just a passive consumer here. You’re part of the problem, and that’s okay because you’re also part of the solution. See, the news cycle is a feedback loop, and every time you share a sensational headline without reading the article, you’re feeding the beast.
I get it, though. It’s hard. I mean, I’ve been there. Last Tuesday, I was scrolling through my feed, and I saw this headline: ‘Local Man Eats Pizza.’ Now, I’m not kidding. That was the headline. And I clicked on it. Why? Because it was weird, and I was bored. And that’s exactly how they get you.
But here’s the thing: you don’t have to be a victim. You can fight back. And no, I’m not talking about some crazy conspiracy theory stuff. I’m talking about simple, practical things. Like, for example, if you’re gonna share something, make sure it’s actually true. Shocking, I know.
And the Anchor Text? Well, It’s Relevant
Speaking of weird stuff, have you ever noticed how some topics just blow up out of nowhere? One day, nobody’s talking about it, and the next, it’s everywhere. It’s like some hidden force is pushing these trending topics popular discussions into the spotlight. And honestly, it’s kinda fascinating.
I was talking to my friend Lisa about this the other day. She’s a teacher, and she’s always got her finger on the pulse of what’s trending with the kids. She said, ‘Sarah, it’s like a fad. One day, it’s all about something, and then the next day, it’s completely different.’ And she’s right. It’s like the news cycle is just a big, never-ending game of musical chairs.
But Let’s Get Back to the Point
Which is, the news cycle is broken, and we need to fix it. And the first step in fixing it is admitting that we’re all part of the problem. We can’t just point fingers at the media or the politicians or whoever else we want to blame. We need to take a good, hard look at ourselves and say, ‘Okay, what can I do better?’
And honestly, it’s not that hard. It’s not about some big, grand gesture. It’s about the little things. It’s about taking the time to read an article before you share it. It’s about questioning the sources. It’s about not letting yourself get swept up in the outrage of the moment.
I know it’s not easy. I struggle with it too. But it’s important. Because the news cycle affects all of us. It shapes our opinions, our beliefs, our worldview. And if we’re not careful, it can lead us down a dark path.
So let’s be careful. Let’s be mindful. Let’s be better. Because the news cycle is broken, and we’re all to blame. But that also means we’re all part of the solution.
About the Author: Sarah Johnson is a senior editor with over 20 years of experience in the news industry. She’s worked for major publications and has seen it all. She’s opinionated, she’s flawed, and she’s not afraid to say what she thinks. You can find her on Twitter ranting about the state of the news cycle or enjoying a good steak.
