Let’s Talk About the Mess We’re In
Look, I’ve been in this game for over 20 years. I started at a tiny paper in Dundee back in the ’90s, and I’ve seen it all. Or so I thought.
But honestly? The state of news today? It’s a disaster. And it’s not just the algorithms or the clickbait or the committment to sensationalism. It’s us. We’re all to blame.
I was at a conference in Austin last year, and this guy—let’s call him Marcus—stood up and said, “The news isn’t broken, it’s just evolving.” I laughed out loud. Which… yeah. Fair enough, I guess. But evolution doesn’t explain the completeley messed up state of things.
The Problem with ‘Balance’
Here’s the thing: balance is overrated. I mean, I get it. We’re supposed to present both sides, give equal time to every perspective. But sometimes, one side is just wrong. And pretending otherwise is not just lazy journalism, it’s dangerous.
Take climate change. I had this argument with a colleague named Dave over coffee at the place on 5th. He said, “We have to give equal time to the other side.” I said, “Dave, the other side is a bunch of oil execs and their puppets. There is no balance here.” He looked at me like I’d grown another head. But I’m not backing down.
And don’t even get me started on political coverage. It’s like we’re all stuck in this endless cycle of “he said, she said,” and nobody’s actually holding anyone accountable. It’s exhausting.
The Role of the Internet
Now, I’m not gonna sit here and blame the internet for everything. But let’s be real, it’s a big part of the problem. The way algorithms push us into these echo chambers? It’s kinda terrifying.
I remember when I first started out, we had to actually go out and talk to people. Now? You can just sit in your pajamas and tweet your opinions. And honestly, that’s not always a good thing.
But here’s the thing: the internet isn’t going away. So we have to figure out how to make it work for us, not against us. And that means being smarter about how we consume news.
For starters, maybe we should all take a break from social media. I know, I know—easier said than done. But trust me, your mental health will thank you.
And if you’re looking for a good current events news summary, try to find one that’s actually doing the work. Not just regurgitating press releases or chasing clicks.
A Quick Digression: The Weather
Speaking of things that are completely out of our control, have you noticed how weird the weather has been lately? I mean, it’s July and I’m wearing a sweater. What is happening?
But I digress. The point is, we’re all in this together. And if we want to fix the news, we have to start by holding ourselves and each other accountable.
So let’s do better. Let’s ask harder questions. Let’s demand more from our sources and from ourselves. And for the love of god, let’s stop pretending that balance is always the answer.
Because it’s not. And we all know it.
About the Author: Sarah McKenzie has been a senior editor at various publications for over 20 years. She’s seen the industry evolve—sometimes for the better, often for the worse. She lives in Dundee with her cat, Mr. Whiskers, and spends her free time yelling at the news.
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