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It’s been a brutal period for most media – especially mainstream, legacy outlets. In addition to being increasingly out-of-tune with the vox populi – and decreasingly trusted and respected as an institution – their entire operational structure has been totally upended by the rise of new media and social platforms.
The way news is consumed changes everyday… but at the heart of the equation has always been a steady appetite for content.
No more, it would appear.
A new study suggests a majority of Gen Z voters – or young voters between the ages of 18-28 – are “turning down the noise of political discourse and embracing escapism.”
Specifically, 54% of Gen Z voters said “staying plugged into the news negatively affects their mental health,” while nearly a quarter (24%) said “politics completely drains them emotionally.”
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Accordingly, 46% of them actively avoid “political content on social media” – including 42% of Democrats and 37% of Republicans who said they “regularly tune out political posts to protect their peace.”
In lieu of staying informed, Gen Z is pressing the escape button.
“When the political noise starts to take over all (their) attention, Gen Z doesn’t just turn off their phones,” the survey noted. “Instead, they dive headfirst into Netflix binges, marathon gaming sessions, or endless doomscrolling through TikTok.”
My reflexive reaction to such a data point would be to crack a snowflake joke – perhaps something in the “buck up, buttercup” vein – while reminding these sensitive souls that “decisions are made by those who show up.” But, my reaction as someone who makes his living in the news industry (with a heavy emphasis on politics) is… well, panic.
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Seriously… how do you build something when half of your future audience has totally checked out?
That’s a stat you don’t wanna take to the bank with you in any economic climate… but especially not this one.
Putting selfish interests aside, though, in a society where obtaining the consent of the governed is absolutely fundamental to the legitimate exercise of authority – and indispensable to meaningful accountability over that authority – how in the world is such epic and unprecedented disengagement sustainable?
Yeah… it isn’t.
The consequences of institutional betrayal are rampant in modern-day America. Once-firm pillars – government, law, business, media, education, health care etc. – have all been elementally compromised by corrupt self-interest. The next generation sees this – recognizes it far more intuitively than its successors, in fact – but instead of doing something about it, they’re turning they’re backs on it.
“They look at television thinking it’s their window to the world,” the prophet Morrissey sang on his covid-era album I Am Not A Dog On A Chain. “Man, that’s got to hurt.”
It does hurt… all of us.
I write often about bad omens on this platform (too often, it feels like). But honestly, I can’t remember writing about one any worse than this.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR …
Will Folks is the founding editor of the news outlet you are currently reading. Prior to founding FITSNews, he served as press secretary to the governor of South Carolina. He lives in the Midlands region of the state with his wife and eight children.
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2 comments
I know senior adults who are rejecting “the news”. They cancel liberal fishwraps like The State because they tire of the endless liberal tirades against freedom, which are nothing more than editorials disguised as “news”. Why pay for a fishwrap that seemingly exists to attack your freedom; whether to not wear a dog muzzle, take the jab, exercise your 2A rights, or not support yet another unnecessary increase in your taxes?
The death of journalism is another reason people reject “the news”. Columbia area TV stations are shameful and pathetic with regard to the stories they offer. For instance, there might be a murder-suicide with multiple victims on “XYZ Street in Lexington County”. “XYZ Street” is not a household name. I dare say that most people within their viewing area haven’t the slightest idea just where “XYZ Street” might be. Is it in West Columbia? Cayce? Springdale? Gaston? Lexington? Batesburg-Leesville? Swansea? Pelion? Why can the person typing the story not extend themselves just a little bit and at least give us the name of the town it is in or closest to? That might be helpful to the news consumer. Almost as bad, you have an incident on a well known road that most people have heard of and have a general idea of its location. Our newer generation of (non) journalists write or broadcast a story. “We have a huge gas leak on 378 in Lexington County”. IF they bother to tell you whether it is in West Columbia or Lexington, that may help narrow it down, just a bit. Maybe they don’t. They say “We have a huge gas leak on 378 near XYZ Street”. Again, most have a general idea of where 378 is. Few have heard of “XYZ Street” and fewer still know where it is. Why not give a landmark that most people can relate to? How about “We have a huge gas leak on 378 at XYZ Street near Brooklyn Baptist Church”? How about, “We have a huge gas leak on 378 at XYZ Street near Lexington Medical Center”? Or how about, “We have a huge gas leak at 378 and XYZ Street near Wal Mart”? The new generation of news “journalists” appear un-motivated and unwilling to take the initiative to find out basic info that will be useful to their consumers.
One place the Columbia area TV stations really shine with regard to not adding enough information, is frequently with regard to missing persons. Once again, let us visit our mythical “XYZ Street”. They will say that the person was last seen walking along “XYZ Street”. As before, where the fuck is XYZ Street? What town or city? What PART of that town or city? This might be important news that generates a viewer tip or response that could save a life. Basic info should be included that should be on the initial police report. Race, sex, hair color, eye color, height, weight, clothing description, vehicle description (if applicable) to include color, vehicle make, model, and plate number. Apparently some LE departments put out sloppy posters for missing persons where much of this info is not listed. I am guessing this because all local TV stations will carry the same non-information. Isn’t a journalist’s job to ASK questions in cases like this? How hard is it to pick up the phone and call the department and ask for filler or clarification?
Who, what, when, where, how, and why? Do they teach these basics in Journalism anymore?
Now we come to Fits News. Fits has done some really good investigative reporting and occasionally scoops the MSM sources on interesting stories. That said, you guys need to learn when to just let a story go and drop it. There is only so much that can be said or written about any story before it becomes old and boring. I mean, it gets to the point that nobody gives a shit anymore. “We’ve heard it all before, already!”
Number One on the list would without question be the Murdaugh murders saga. Who out there hasn’t thought, “If I have to see one more pic of Pop Murdaugh in an orange jump suit I am going to hurl”? Following and in no particular order are the “Rose Petal Murder” and the crazy Myrtle Beach preacher and his wife who plainly offed herself. Gee guys, there is plenty of other stuff going on worthy of coverage that would be fresh, new (as in news), and interesting.
The State and local news stations make me cringe.