Problem
News avoidance
Other Names:
Deliberate inattention to current affairs Nature:
News avoidance is a matter of concern if it means that citizens are not sufficiently equipped to take decisions in elections or referendums. There are two distinct types: avoidance stemming from the depressing nature of the content itself and avoidance due to disapproval of the news media more broadly.
Incidence:
In a 2018 survey, the most frequent reasons given for news avoidance were:
- negative effect on their mood
- distrust media / doubt truthfulness of news
- nothing I can do about it
- upset by graphic images
- lead to arguments
- disturbed ability to concentrate on more important things.
Countries that are undergoing considerable economic and political turmoil reported a higher level of new avoidance than stable and prosperous countries.
Broader Problems:
Avoidance of realityDeliberate ignorance Reduced By:
Habituation to unpleasant newsProblem Type:
E: Emanations of other problems Date of last update
04.10.2020 – 22:48 CEST