The news world is undergoing significant change. According to the latest report from the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism, there is a steady decline in interest in news. Only around 48 percent of people worldwide say they are very interested in news. This is a decrease of 63 percent compared to 2017.

But what impact does this trend have on the information society? And what does it mean for the way we inform ourselves about the world around us?

The change in news consumption

The way we consume news is changing rapidly. According to the Reuters Institute, more and more people are turning away from traditional news sources such as newspapers and television and towards digital, mobile and platform-based offerings. Only around a fifth of those surveyed begin their information journey on the website or app of a classic news network.

But that doesn't mean that people are less well informed. Rather, the way information is obtained has changed. The growing popularity of social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and TikTok is a sign that more and more people are getting their information from these sources.

What role does social media play?

The role of social media in disseminating information cannot be underestimated. They have become important sources of information, especially for younger generations. Instagram and TikTok are now used as a source of current news by 14 and 6 percent of the population, respectively. Among 18 to 24 year olds, around 20 percent even get information via TikTok. This is an increase of 15 percent compared to the previous year.

With this change, however, the quality of news also changes. While traditional media tends to check facts and cite multiple sources, information on social media is often unfiltered and may contain false reports.

The challenges

This development brings with it several challenges. For one thing, the increasing reliance on social media as a news source can increase the potential for spreading misinformation and “fake news.” On the other hand, declining interest in traditional news may threaten the survival of many traditional media companies. This in turn limits the diversity of news sources.

Also important is the fact that much of the population intentionally avoids news, especially news that deals with depressing topics such as war or rising costs of living. This behavior can leave us as a society less informed and less able to make informed decisions and understand what is happening in our world.

Support from Mimikama: promoting media literacy

As part of our efforts to meet the challenges of a changing media landscape, Mimikama offers support in dealing with disinformation. Misinformation and disinformation are serious dangers in today's media landscape. They threaten our ability to make informed decisions and inform ourselves about the world in which we live.

We firmly believe in the importance of critical thinking and media literacy in this context. That's why we offer lectures and workshops in which we promote these skills. Our goal is to give people the tools they need to question and evaluate the information they consume.

Whether it's about identifying fake news, checking the credibility of sources or understanding the mechanisms behind the spread of misinformation: we are there to provide expertise and support.

If you are interested in a lecture or workshop on this important topic, please do not hesitate to contact us. We look forward to working with you to foster a more informed and critical audience. Together we can improve the media landscape and stand up to misinformation.

Conclusion

It may be that interest in news is waning, but that does not mean that the importance of information is becoming less important. In an ever-changing world, being well-informed is more important than ever.

The change in the way we consume news is both a challenge and an opportunity. It is up to us to take advantage of these new information channels. At the same time, we must ensure that we receive high quality, accurate and relevant information. The way forward could be to explore new formats and platforms while emphasizing the importance of critical thinking and media literacy.

Source:

Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism

This might also be of interest:
The language of digital communication: From narrative and storytelling to deepfakes and infodemic
fake news about “NWO climate terrorists” who deliberately set forest fires: A fact check
Our brain as a protective shield against fake news


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Notes:
1) This content reflects the current state of affairs at the time of publication. The reproduction of individual images, screenshots, embeds or video sequences serves to discuss the topic. 2) Individual contributions were created through the use of machine assistance and were carefully checked by the Mimikama editorial team before publication. ( Reason )