Barriers to Reengaging Viewers With Journalism
- Addiction to Drama: Many viewers are conditioned to excitement, tension, and conflict. Calm and nuanced discussions may initially seem dull or “slow.” The emotional high of watching fiery debates is difficult to replace with sober discourse.
- Commercial Pressure: Media houses prioritise ratings and ad revenue, and sensationalism delivers both. Thoughtful journalism, which may not generate immediate profits is often sidelined. Advertisers invest in shows with high viewership, creating a feedback loop that rewards sensational content.
- Short Attention Spans: In the age of TikTok and Instagram, viewers are accustomed to quick, bite-sized content. Long, issue-driven discussions require sustained focus, which can be a tough sell.
- Polarisation: Thoughtful journalism often seeks balance and nuance, which can alienate audiences who are used to partisan reporting. Viewers may dismiss balanced reporting as “boring” or “biased against their side.”
- Trust Deficit: Many viewers have lost trust in mainstream media, assuming it serves political or corporate interests. Even quality journalism may struggle to regain credibility in such an environment.
- Journalist Bias: Compounded to the above is the personal bias of the journalist which cannot be overlooked. It further eclipses the journalist’s role as a neutral observer leading to an erosion of trust between the journalist and the viewers. Additionally, personal fears, beliefs, and emotions—whether those of journalists or their audiences—can subtly, yet significantly, influence the framing of stories. Accessible, free, open and independent media are vital to vibrant democracy.Information, the power of an Information Society needs to be credible, truthful and factual. Digital transformation of the media ecosystem has augmented and accelerated information. Lippmann and others began to look for ways for the individual journalist “to remain clear and free of his irrational, unexamined, unacknowledged prejudgments in observing, understanding and presenting the news.” This was the idea that if reporters simply dug out the facts and ordered them together, truth would reveal itself rather naturally. While more research is needed to refine these interventions, the potential for reducing cognitive biases in journalism is promising.