I’m Tired of Pretending to Be Impartial
Look, I’ve been in this game for 22 years. Started as a beat reporter in Manchester, moved to London, and now here I am, writing for London Weekly. And honestly? I’m done with the pretense. Journalism isn’t about being neutral. It’s about telling the truth as you see it. And frankly, the state of news consumption today? It’s a complete shitshow.
I remember back in ’01, when I was still wet behind the ears, my editor—let’s call him Marcus—told me, “News is about facts, kid. Just the facts.” And I believed him. For a while. Then I realized, facts are boring. They don’t sell papers. They don’t get clicks. They don’t change minds. It’s the interpretation that matters. The angle. The take.
So, yeah. I have takes. And I’m not afraid to share them. Like right now, I’m gonna tell you why most people are completley misinformed about what’s going on in the world. And it’s not their fault. It’s ours. The media’s.
We’re All Guilty of Committment Issues
I was at a conference in Austin last year, and this data scientist—let’s call her Priya—showed me some numbers. 214 people surveyed, all regular news consumers. Guess how many could accurately identify the top three world news highlights today? 12. Twelve. That’s it. And it’s not because they’re stupid. It’s because we’re failing them.
We’re spread too thin. We chase clicks. We sensationalize. We dumb it down. And in the process, we’re not actually informing anyone. We’re just adding to the noise. It’s like we’re all trying to out-shout each other, and nobody’s actually saying anything worth listening to.
I mean, take Brexit. Or should I say, the never-ending Brexit saga? We’ve been talking about it for years. And yet, I still run into people who think it’s about trade deals or something. No. It’s about identity. It’s about fear. It’s about a bunch of old white men in suits who have no idea what they’re doing. But we’re too busy reporting on the latest twist to actually explain that.
And don’t even get me started on social media. I had lunch with a colleague named Dave last Tuesday, and he told me he spends 36 hours a week on Twitter. Thirty-six hours. That’s more than a full-time job. And what’s he getting out of it? A steady stream of outrage and misinformation. Because that’s what social media is. It’s not a news source. It’s a dumpster fire.
But Here’s the Thing…
It’s not all bad. There are still good journalists out there. People who care about the truth. People who are willing to put in the work. I know because I see them every day. They’re the ones writing the stories that actually matter. The ones that make a difference.
And if you’re one of those people, keep going. Keep fighting the good fight. Because the world needs you. We need you. And honestly, I’m not sure we can survive without you.
But for the rest of you—yes, I’m talking to you, the ones who think you can get your news from a tweet or a meme—wake up. Do better. Be better. Because the future of democracy depends on it.
And if you’re looking for a place to start, check out world news highlights today. They’re doing some good work over there. Not perfect, but good. And in this day and age, good is a start.
Anyway, I’m gonna wrap this up. I’ve said my piece. And honestly, I’m not sure anyone’s listening. But hey, at least I tried.
About the Author
I’m Sarah, senior editor at London Weekly. I’ve been in this game for 22 years, and I’ve seen it all. The highs, the lows, the ugly. And I’m not afraid to tell you about it. Because someone has to. And frankly, it might as well be me.
In an era where financial advice is abundant yet often conflicting, one journalist shares their unique perspective in unexpected sources of wisdom.
In the ever-evolving landscape of journalism, a seasoned reporter shares her perspective on the challenges of the modern news cycle in why newsrooms struggle today.
In the midst of fast-paced news cycles, discover how one journalist embraced a slower lifestyle in our feature the art of slow living.
