The news is everywhere, and it is vital to know and understand what is happening worldwide. But how much are people actually paying attention to the news nowadays? The modern generation seems to be less reliant on mass news media in comparison to older generations. A survey was conducted on local college students and their corresponding staff to determine what news means to them and how that reflects the future of mass news media.
The modern generation is renowned for its use of social media, as opposed to previous generations. When asked to describe what the word news meant to them, many merely responded with “ stressful,” “dramatic,” and "confusing.” On the other hand, older Generations chose to describe the news as "notable events” and “important information tailored to specific audiences.”
Many respondents claimed that news should come from trusted sources and be backed by provable evidence on which reporters base their claims. However, in the modern age of AI and technology, it can be increasingly difficult to find trusted sources and believe what you are reading or hearing online.
Within the survey, responders of all ages agreed that news can often get political and biased, even if that is not the reporter's intention. So much of modern news media is constructed around political parties and what Republicans or Democrats are doing that it can be hard to know which side is honest. That is, if there is an honest side at all.
Emotional Response
In the survey, it was inquired to the respondents how each felt after observing the news. A strikingly, though not astounding, 50% of all respondents claimed they were left feeling disheartened, with another 32% expressing sadness.
It can be concluded that the charged politics of broadcasts and articles contribute to the sorrow and dejection of the general public. High-profile cases are frequently the loudest, and nothing draws used more than violence and pain. Wars rage around the world, and that is generally all the public sees. Phones ping with announcements of hospitals bombed and the cries of families mourning their fallen loved ones.
The word news has become synonymous with the thought of violence and pain. Is it such a surprise that the modern generation, who have unlimited access to such displays, would choose not to willingly subject themselves to it?
News Sources
The source of news which generations access is starkly contrasting. Of the recorded 45 to 60-year-olds, 57% claim they access news from media websites, while 54% of 18 to 25-year-olds receive their news from social media platforms.
Compiling the data found that there is a stark difference in the amount of times an 18 to 25-year-old ingests the news, compared to how much a 45 to 60-year-old would. While 71% of the previous generations appear to watch the news every day, 44% of the modern generation does not watch the news at all, with only 11% reporting ingesting it daily.
The data found that 57% of the older generations claim that the general public is watching the news significantly less than they were ten years ago. Based on this data, it can be concluded that the younger generation is less interested in what is going on in the world around them, choosing instead to focus more on their personal lives. This trend may be attributed to the significant rise in the use of social media within the modern generations and the increased availability of information at the touch of a button.
However, social media also has the potential to help news media reach a wider audience, provide real-time updates, supplement reporting with user-generated content, encourage engagement and interaction, and provide valuable data analytics tools.
What Does This Mean?
The potential implications of the younger generation's waning interest in the world around them are significant. It is concerning to think about how a lack of awareness and engagement could result in a lack of participation in civic activities and decision-making processes, an essential part of the functionality of a healthy democracy.
This trend could also create more significant dependence on unreliable sources of information that can lead to misinformation and disinformation, which can have far-reaching consequences. The younger generation needs to stay informed and engaged with the world around them in order to actively participate in shaping a better future for themselves and society as a whole.
Going Forward
The survey results indicate that the younger generation is less interested in consuming news from traditional media sources compared to previous generations. While technology has made information more accessible, it has also resulted in unreliable sources of information, which can lead to misinformation and disinformation.
It is essential for the younger generation to stay informed and engaged with the world around them to actively participate in shaping a better future for themselves and society as a whole. The responsibility also falls on news media outlets to provide unbiased and reliable news to foster trust and promote civic engagement.
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