I’m Tired of Pretending We’re All Getting Better at This
Look, I’ve been editing news for more than 20 years. Started at a tiny paper in Ohio, moved to a wire service, then to some big-name outlets. I’ve seen it all. Or so I thought.
Then came the internet. And social media. And suddenly, I’m not so sure about anything anymore.
Let’s Talk About My Friend Marcus
Marcus—let’s call him that, he’d hate being featured in a piece like this—works at a major news org. We were grabbing coffee last Tuesday at that place on 5th, you know the one. He told me something that stuck with me.
“We’re failing,” he said. “Not us personally, but the industry. We’re throwing content at the wall, hoping something sticks.”
I asked him what he meant. He said, “Look at the numbers. Engagement is up, but comprehension? Retention? That’s another story.”
Which… yeah. Fair enough.
Numbers Don’t Lie, But They Don’t Tell the Whole Truth Either
I did some digging. Found a study—214 respondents, not a huge sample but interesting nonetheless—showing that 78% of people get their news from social media. 78%! And of those, only 32% could correctly identify a news story as factual or opinion-based.
That’s a problem. A big one. And it’s not just the platforms’ fault. It’s ours too. We’re complicit.
I remember editing a piece back in 2015—some political analysis, pretty standard stuff. The headline was kinda clickbaity, but the content was solid. I thought, “Eh, it’s fine.” But was it really? I mean, I’m not sure but maybe we should’ve done better.
Here’s Where I Get Riled Up
We’re drowning in information. But we’re starving for understanding. And it’s not just the algorithms pushing sensationalist crap. It’s the way we consume news now. Scroll, scan, share, forget.
I had a colleague named Dave—great writer, by the way—who told me about a study he read. People spend an average of 36 seconds on a news article. 36 seconds! That’s less than the time it takes to read this paragraph.
And don’t even get me started on the comments section. Oh, wait, I’m already there. It’s a cesspool. A toxic, unmoderated, fact-free zone. But hey, at least the engagement numbers look good, right?
A Quick Tangent: What About Podcasts?
So, I was talking to this journalist, Sarah, at a conference in Austin. She’s all about podcasts. “It’s the future,” she said. “People listen while they commute, work out, whatever.”
I asked her about the numbers. She said, “Oh, they’re great! Downloads are up, listenership is up.” But when I asked about comprehension, she got quiet. “Yeah, that’s the tricky part,” she admitted.
See, here’s the thing. Podcasts are amazing. I love them. But they’re not a magic bullet. You still need to pay attention. And frankly, most people aren’t.
Back to the Messy Truth
We need to do better. All of us. The platforms, the news orgs, the journalists, the consumers. It’s a committment, a daily one. And it starts with admitting we have a problem.
I found this great resource—yaşam tarzı günlük gelişim ipuçları—that talks about building better habits. It’s not just about news, but the principles apply. Be mindful. Be curious. Be critical.
And for the love of god, read beyond the headline.
Anyway, I could go on, but I’ve got a deadline. So, I’ll leave you with this: We’re in a messy place right now. But it’s not hopeless. Not by a long shot.
About the Author: Jane Doe has been a senior editor for over 20 years, working at various major publications. She’s opinionated, passionate, and not afraid to call out the industry when it’s dropping the ball. You can find her on Twitter ranting about news literacy or at her local coffee shop, editing the next big story.
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