I can only speak for myself but I stopped watching/reading the news when the reporters and stations started inserting their political biases. Historically media has always had political bias. Thomas Jefferson secretly owned his own paper and trashed John Adams. But it seems that the ‘70’s and ‘80’s news media were a little more balanced. But politicians were also more likely to work on a common goal from both sides of the aisle in those decades too. A great example was Ronald Reagan and Tip O’Neil working together. Right now everything seems to be approached with there is only one ideology that will work instead of taking the approach that here’s the issue now how do we fix it. I would love to see the news media ask tough questions about an issue and keep the fire turned up on everyone to resolve that issue. It seems currently the media tends to just relay the different messages. They are just reporting on what people say instead of reporting on the issue and why it’s important. I haven’t watched local/national news for probably ten years. I stick to reading the news online and like you only read news with facts not speculation.
Be wary of watching, reading too much news at 10 o’clock. PM! don’t get go to bed with all the negative stuff in your head. It will keep till the AM plus you get coffee!
I've cut back on both local and national TV news unless there is a major event. I still read as much news as I can get my hands on. I still watch some CNN, but try to avoid news shows that offer speculation/commentary about what might happen. I do worry about people simply turning off the news because they are tired of bad news or the focus on elections. I've noticed several people on Facebook talking about doing this. I also worry about the damage Trump has done to the media. My right wing family and friends constantly berate the media and tell me that they don't believe anything they read or hear. When I ask them where they get their information they tell me they believe it's what they "feel" that is correct. That's truly frightening.
I don't watch television at all. I limit my online news consumption for the United States to 3 or 4 quality sources that I trust and follow their daily updates. I also make a point of watching some European news outlets to keep a more balanced perspective of what's going on in the world as a whole. It is difficult to mentally step outside of the North American fishbowl of drama and remember we are part of a much bigger picture. However, having spent a good amount of time in 3rd world countries and watching their struggles with corruption, I have seen the ugly results of unchecked power grabs and the encroachment of Russia wherever they can find a foothold. It is a cautionary tale for the United States and we must pay attention so that we do not end up as a large country with similar problems to smaller unstable countries and thinking it could never happen here.
Dave, yes I think most of us, that are news junkies, are a little burned out some days. Sports has been a wonderful relief this summer. Wimbledon, women’s world soccer and concern that the Cardinals will never get a pitcher has really helped! I really dislike what is happening to print news. It may go away and that would be sad! Thanks for your perspective. 😊
First, we share some Iowa roots. I spent the first two years of my news career as SE Iowa Bureau Chief for KTVO-TV at Ottumwa.
It is now 23 years since my last stop in a 22 year career in TV news and I find myself sharing many of the same concerns and I still hear people speak of the "liberal" media. Few seem to understand most of our media is owned by companies and CEO's who are some of the most conservative people you'll meet. But that's a discussion for another day.
It does concern me that I hear more people say they can't stand or have turned off the news in their daily lives. It concerns me more when I see once busy newsrooms downsizing in both print and broadcast. I live where I ended my news career, in Columbus Ohio (the 32nd DMA)..... the home of the once mighty Columbus Dispatch and 3 local TV news operations. With the exception of a still good public media system in Ohio, news has all but disappeared from radio.
When I worked in news here, each TV newsroom had from 5 or 6 reporters on duty and at least a half-dozen or more videographers on day shift with slightly less on nights. A few days ago, I did an interview with a local reporter from one of my old stations (I worked at all three here) and she was one of two.... TWO..... reporters on the dayside shift. Both of them were MMJ's, what we used to call "one man bands". People who know me often ask me why is the quality of local news so bad? I point to the above as one big reason. And the Dispatch newsroom has been whittled dow to a bare bones staff and the paper reflects it in terms of the quantity of news.
My point is this: Instead of turning off the news, we should be demanding better of our news outlets.
We should be asking why news and issues aren't getting covered or getting superficial coverage and why local news outlets aren't investing in the people and tools to enable better and deeper coverage.
I think it's okay to walk away from the paper or a local newscast for a day. I dod that when I grab my camera and go hunting for good photos at a local eagle nest. But to walk away entirely invites ignorance and serves only those who spread misinformation. The last 5 or 6 years should be evidence enough of that.
No way two MMJ’s can cover a busy town like Columbus. I’m sorry to hear of that staffing level. I’m a firm believer that reporting and photography are distinctly different jobs.
I watch CNN for the story then turn it off and always catch nightly CBS. I read much more news now on apps, local, BBC, etc. but do need occasional breaks. I look forward to your articles and others in Substack now too. Thanks for writing!
To be an informed citizen requires exertion of effort. And patience. Two practices where I think most Americans fall far short. That’s not necessarily our fault. We’ve been fed a steady diet of spin and speculation and sensationalism for decades really while our attention spans as a whole have dwindled to goldfish levels. Blame any number of causes for that. Pile all of the above on a purposeful effort to dumb down the American public on any number of issues and we are where we are. All that said, yeah. We still need to pull up our big person pants, make an effort to read and/ or view a variety of real news outlets, not just cable programs which are largely spin, and work that half a brain we may still have to critically think about what we consume and what the dire impact will be if we DO NOT exert effort, patience and critical thinking skills. Take a break now and then, get outside, check your blood pressure, make some art, whatever works, but know that the most dangerous threat to democracy is an ignorant, complacent public.
Marcy, I agree that being part of a democracy requires sustained effort. I’ve had two experiences in the past week, which I’ll decline to name, where it became abundantly clear to me that people are simply not as informed as they should be. I realize I’m likely the outlier and way too much of a news junkie. But being well-informed takes work. Perhaps you’re right that some blame falls at the feet of journalists who too easily resort to sensationalism. But everyone needs to read a good newspaper every day. And yes, that’s become more difficult with newspaper cutbacks.
I'm like you in one respect: I want facts not speculation. I can do my own speculating. I normally go through waves with my news watching. I have a subscription to the digital DM Register but I'm bad about logging on to actually read it, unless there's a big event going on like RAGBRAI, or the State Fair, or sports. My TV habit is to watch WOI at 5pm,mostly for the weather, ABC News at 5:30, then switch over to KCCI at 6. Lately though I've been extremely busy organizing a virtual international writers' conference so even though the news is on I may not pay attention. Besides, photos and videos of a certain politician only serve to give me anxiety attacks! As to your habits, you've had to consume all of that news because of your professional position. Don't worry, I'm sure you will scale back over time as your mind gets accustomed to being retired. Or you'll get fed up with all the speculation.
Have not watched ANY television (except Blue Bloods) for 20 years, have never done social media, but DSM Register, WSJ, Capital Dispatch, SLC Tribune and emails were a full load every morning before the rest of the household was awake. Now, substacks from the Iowa Writers Collaborative push me into family time for which I am paying a rising and ultimately unsustainable price. News hunger--local, national and international--consumes me and self-discipline was never my strong suit. Recent five days of total black-out in the Boundary Waters was a welcome break and I recommend it to all.
Oh, forgot--many hours every week in a vehicle, made tolerable by POTUS Channel 124 on Sirius Satellite Radio; Michael Smerconish and Julie Mason dish balanced, newsworthy topics and guests. Will never have a vehicle without it.
Our journalism intakes are very similar, although I've begun putting a priority on the PBS News Hour at 6 pm CT. Excellent and it really tries to be a moderate voice. Too many people, in my opinion, confuse news bias with news they don't want to hear...and there's a difference. Despite what Trump has preached for years, reporting on a crime is NOT inserting a bias. Conservatives bristle at this but when you attempt to overthrow an election, for example, it is news and needs to be reported. If our democracy survives, one day historians will look back at today's journalists and consider them heroes.
Rod, you are spot on about what people perceive as bias. Some stories are one-sided just because that’s what’s happening that day. If Biden is in town for a speech, the coverage will be one-sided that day. So we might hear from Republicans who complain about it. But if Trump is in town, he dominates the coverage that day and we don’t hear from those same Republicans.
Over time, the coverage evens out. You can’t judge just one story or even just one day. At least, to be FAIR, a news organization should be judged over a length of time and breadth of issues it covers.
I am an absolute news junkie when it comes to reading newspapers and online sources of all kinds. My favorite source? The IWC of course! I love the diversity of the subjects, opinions, and the just plain fun reading. I watch some TV news shows, but I am grow weary of being told what I should think or the incessant “what-about-ism”. Reading about what is going on is much more peaceful around here because I don’t shout “Oh, shut up” nearly as much!
Dave, great column. I read the Register (paper version, except on Sat.), NY Times, Washington Post, Ida County Courier, Business Record, Iowa Capital Dispatch and lots of blogs (including Bleeding Heartland, which provides amazing coverage). I watch TV when I am on the treadmill, but I have not watched television news since 1975. It is so much faster to read stories in the newspaper and avoid the commercials. I have been surprised to discover that many residents in other countries are very informed about current events in the US and want to discuss them with me when I visit their country. Actions in this country, no surprise, have a ripple effect on many other countries.
John, as a lifeline TV news guy, it’s hard for me to have a well-informed person like you not rely on us. I think TV News does some things quite well. Video is certainly important to understanding some stories. Even talking heads communicate tone and facial expression that a print quote cannot. But I have ALWAYS said everyone needs to read at least one good newspaper every day. A proper mix of print and broadcast can be helpful to understand world events.
Dave, great column! I’m concerned that people hear or read about the “bigs” and don’t know what’s happening at our state level. How many of us can name our representatives in the state legislature? Ask around-you might be surprised.
I can only speak for myself but I stopped watching/reading the news when the reporters and stations started inserting their political biases. Historically media has always had political bias. Thomas Jefferson secretly owned his own paper and trashed John Adams. But it seems that the ‘70’s and ‘80’s news media were a little more balanced. But politicians were also more likely to work on a common goal from both sides of the aisle in those decades too. A great example was Ronald Reagan and Tip O’Neil working together. Right now everything seems to be approached with there is only one ideology that will work instead of taking the approach that here’s the issue now how do we fix it. I would love to see the news media ask tough questions about an issue and keep the fire turned up on everyone to resolve that issue. It seems currently the media tends to just relay the different messages. They are just reporting on what people say instead of reporting on the issue and why it’s important. I haven’t watched local/national news for probably ten years. I stick to reading the news online and like you only read news with facts not speculation.
Be wary of watching, reading too much news at 10 o’clock. PM! don’t get go to bed with all the negative stuff in your head. It will keep till the AM plus you get coffee!
Coffee makes everything better!
I've cut back on both local and national TV news unless there is a major event. I still read as much news as I can get my hands on. I still watch some CNN, but try to avoid news shows that offer speculation/commentary about what might happen. I do worry about people simply turning off the news because they are tired of bad news or the focus on elections. I've noticed several people on Facebook talking about doing this. I also worry about the damage Trump has done to the media. My right wing family and friends constantly berate the media and tell me that they don't believe anything they read or hear. When I ask them where they get their information they tell me they believe it's what they "feel" that is correct. That's truly frightening.
That’s not good!
I don't watch television at all. I limit my online news consumption for the United States to 3 or 4 quality sources that I trust and follow their daily updates. I also make a point of watching some European news outlets to keep a more balanced perspective of what's going on in the world as a whole. It is difficult to mentally step outside of the North American fishbowl of drama and remember we are part of a much bigger picture. However, having spent a good amount of time in 3rd world countries and watching their struggles with corruption, I have seen the ugly results of unchecked power grabs and the encroachment of Russia wherever they can find a foothold. It is a cautionary tale for the United States and we must pay attention so that we do not end up as a large country with similar problems to smaller unstable countries and thinking it could never happen here.
Sue, what are the European sources you use?
DW News
https://m.youtube.com/@dwnews
UATV English
https://m.youtube.com/@UATVEnglish
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
https://m.youtube.com/results?sp=mAEA&search_query=radio+free+europe
BBC news
https://m.youtube.com/results?sp=mAEA&search_query=bbc+news
Dave, yes I think most of us, that are news junkies, are a little burned out some days. Sports has been a wonderful relief this summer. Wimbledon, women’s world soccer and concern that the Cardinals will never get a pitcher has really helped! I really dislike what is happening to print news. It may go away and that would be sad! Thanks for your perspective. 😊
Dave....
First, we share some Iowa roots. I spent the first two years of my news career as SE Iowa Bureau Chief for KTVO-TV at Ottumwa.
It is now 23 years since my last stop in a 22 year career in TV news and I find myself sharing many of the same concerns and I still hear people speak of the "liberal" media. Few seem to understand most of our media is owned by companies and CEO's who are some of the most conservative people you'll meet. But that's a discussion for another day.
It does concern me that I hear more people say they can't stand or have turned off the news in their daily lives. It concerns me more when I see once busy newsrooms downsizing in both print and broadcast. I live where I ended my news career, in Columbus Ohio (the 32nd DMA)..... the home of the once mighty Columbus Dispatch and 3 local TV news operations. With the exception of a still good public media system in Ohio, news has all but disappeared from radio.
When I worked in news here, each TV newsroom had from 5 or 6 reporters on duty and at least a half-dozen or more videographers on day shift with slightly less on nights. A few days ago, I did an interview with a local reporter from one of my old stations (I worked at all three here) and she was one of two.... TWO..... reporters on the dayside shift. Both of them were MMJ's, what we used to call "one man bands". People who know me often ask me why is the quality of local news so bad? I point to the above as one big reason. And the Dispatch newsroom has been whittled dow to a bare bones staff and the paper reflects it in terms of the quantity of news.
My point is this: Instead of turning off the news, we should be demanding better of our news outlets.
We should be asking why news and issues aren't getting covered or getting superficial coverage and why local news outlets aren't investing in the people and tools to enable better and deeper coverage.
I think it's okay to walk away from the paper or a local newscast for a day. I dod that when I grab my camera and go hunting for good photos at a local eagle nest. But to walk away entirely invites ignorance and serves only those who spread misinformation. The last 5 or 6 years should be evidence enough of that.
Incredibly important point per the gutting and cannibalizing of local news outlets.
No way two MMJ’s can cover a busy town like Columbus. I’m sorry to hear of that staffing level. I’m a firm believer that reporting and photography are distinctly different jobs.
Agreed. A lot gets either missed or given minimal coverage.
I watch CNN for the story then turn it off and always catch nightly CBS. I read much more news now on apps, local, BBC, etc. but do need occasional breaks. I look forward to your articles and others in Substack now too. Thanks for writing!
Thanks, Julie!
To be an informed citizen requires exertion of effort. And patience. Two practices where I think most Americans fall far short. That’s not necessarily our fault. We’ve been fed a steady diet of spin and speculation and sensationalism for decades really while our attention spans as a whole have dwindled to goldfish levels. Blame any number of causes for that. Pile all of the above on a purposeful effort to dumb down the American public on any number of issues and we are where we are. All that said, yeah. We still need to pull up our big person pants, make an effort to read and/ or view a variety of real news outlets, not just cable programs which are largely spin, and work that half a brain we may still have to critically think about what we consume and what the dire impact will be if we DO NOT exert effort, patience and critical thinking skills. Take a break now and then, get outside, check your blood pressure, make some art, whatever works, but know that the most dangerous threat to democracy is an ignorant, complacent public.
Marcy, I agree that being part of a democracy requires sustained effort. I’ve had two experiences in the past week, which I’ll decline to name, where it became abundantly clear to me that people are simply not as informed as they should be. I realize I’m likely the outlier and way too much of a news junkie. But being well-informed takes work. Perhaps you’re right that some blame falls at the feet of journalists who too easily resort to sensationalism. But everyone needs to read a good newspaper every day. And yes, that’s become more difficult with newspaper cutbacks.
I'm like you in one respect: I want facts not speculation. I can do my own speculating. I normally go through waves with my news watching. I have a subscription to the digital DM Register but I'm bad about logging on to actually read it, unless there's a big event going on like RAGBRAI, or the State Fair, or sports. My TV habit is to watch WOI at 5pm,mostly for the weather, ABC News at 5:30, then switch over to KCCI at 6. Lately though I've been extremely busy organizing a virtual international writers' conference so even though the news is on I may not pay attention. Besides, photos and videos of a certain politician only serve to give me anxiety attacks! As to your habits, you've had to consume all of that news because of your professional position. Don't worry, I'm sure you will scale back over time as your mind gets accustomed to being retired. Or you'll get fed up with all the speculation.
Have not watched ANY television (except Blue Bloods) for 20 years, have never done social media, but DSM Register, WSJ, Capital Dispatch, SLC Tribune and emails were a full load every morning before the rest of the household was awake. Now, substacks from the Iowa Writers Collaborative push me into family time for which I am paying a rising and ultimately unsustainable price. News hunger--local, national and international--consumes me and self-discipline was never my strong suit. Recent five days of total black-out in the Boundary Waters was a welcome break and I recommend it to all.
Oh, forgot--many hours every week in a vehicle, made tolerable by POTUS Channel 124 on Sirius Satellite Radio; Michael Smerconish and Julie Mason dish balanced, newsworthy topics and guests. Will never have a vehicle without it.
That’s a good recommendation. I’ve seen the POTUS channel but haven’t listened. I’ll give it a try.
I do not pay much attention to our local newspapers. I try to read various magazines and watch selected TV accounts to stay informed.
Our journalism intakes are very similar, although I've begun putting a priority on the PBS News Hour at 6 pm CT. Excellent and it really tries to be a moderate voice. Too many people, in my opinion, confuse news bias with news they don't want to hear...and there's a difference. Despite what Trump has preached for years, reporting on a crime is NOT inserting a bias. Conservatives bristle at this but when you attempt to overthrow an election, for example, it is news and needs to be reported. If our democracy survives, one day historians will look back at today's journalists and consider them heroes.
Rod, you are spot on about what people perceive as bias. Some stories are one-sided just because that’s what’s happening that day. If Biden is in town for a speech, the coverage will be one-sided that day. So we might hear from Republicans who complain about it. But if Trump is in town, he dominates the coverage that day and we don’t hear from those same Republicans.
Over time, the coverage evens out. You can’t judge just one story or even just one day. At least, to be FAIR, a news organization should be judged over a length of time and breadth of issues it covers.
My advice: Turn on. Tune in. Drop out. :)
Spoken like a child of the 60s!
I am an absolute news junkie when it comes to reading newspapers and online sources of all kinds. My favorite source? The IWC of course! I love the diversity of the subjects, opinions, and the just plain fun reading. I watch some TV news shows, but I am grow weary of being told what I should think or the incessant “what-about-ism”. Reading about what is going on is much more peaceful around here because I don’t shout “Oh, shut up” nearly as much!
Kathi, I’m GLAD you’re a news junkie! And thanks for being so supportive of the IWC.
IWC rules! But must sit on my hands to keep comments contained.
Dave, great column. I read the Register (paper version, except on Sat.), NY Times, Washington Post, Ida County Courier, Business Record, Iowa Capital Dispatch and lots of blogs (including Bleeding Heartland, which provides amazing coverage). I watch TV when I am on the treadmill, but I have not watched television news since 1975. It is so much faster to read stories in the newspaper and avoid the commercials. I have been surprised to discover that many residents in other countries are very informed about current events in the US and want to discuss them with me when I visit their country. Actions in this country, no surprise, have a ripple effect on many other countries.
John, as a lifeline TV news guy, it’s hard for me to have a well-informed person like you not rely on us. I think TV News does some things quite well. Video is certainly important to understanding some stories. Even talking heads communicate tone and facial expression that a print quote cannot. But I have ALWAYS said everyone needs to read at least one good newspaper every day. A proper mix of print and broadcast can be helpful to understand world events.
Thanks for your input!
Dave, great column! I’m concerned that people hear or read about the “bigs” and don’t know what’s happening at our state level. How many of us can name our representatives in the state legislature? Ask around-you might be surprised.