Look, We’ve Got a Problem
It was last Tuesday, I was at a conference in Austin, and this guy—let’s call him Marcus—stood up and said, “I think news literacy is completley dead.” Dead. Just like that. No funeral, no nothing. And honestly? I kinda get it.
I’ve been editing for London Weekly for, what, 22 years now? And I’ve seen it all. The good, the bad, the downright ugly. But this? This is something else. It’s not just about fake news anymore. It’s about the complete and utter committment people have to their own little bubbles.
I mean, I get it. News is hard. It’s complicated. It’s messy. And it’s supposed to be. But that doesn’t mean we should just throw our hands up and say, “Oh well, what can you do?”
My Friend Sarah Doesn’t Read News Anymore
So, about three months ago, I’m having coffee with my friend Sarah—you know, the one who used to be a total news junkie? And she tells me, “I don’t read news anymore. It’s all just noise.” And I’m like, “What do you mean, noise?”
She goes, “Well, I can’t tell what’s real and what’s not. So I just don’t bother.” And that, my friends, is a problem. A big one. Because news literacy isn’t just about knowing what’s real. It’s about knowing how to find out what’s real. It’s about asking questions, digging deeper, and not just taking things at face value.
But here’s the thing: it’s not all doom and gloom. There are people out there doing some amazing work. People who are fighting the good fight, one story at a time. And I think—no, I know—that we can turn this ship around. But it’s gonna take some work.
The Role of Journalists in All This
Now, I’m not gonna sit here and say that journalists are perfect. Because we’re not. We make mistakes. We have biases. We’re human. But that doesn’t mean we should just give up. Far from it.
I remember talking to a colleague named Dave—great guy, by the way—about this exact topic. And he said something that really stuck with me. He said, “Look, we can’t just keep doing the same thing and expecting different results. We need to change. We need to adapt. We need to find new ways to reach people and help them understand the importance of news literacy.”
And he’s right. We need to be better. We need to be more transparent. We need to be more accessible. We need to be more human.
And, you know what? I think we’re starting to see that. I see it in the way that some outlets are experimenting with new formats, with new ways of telling stories. I see it in the way that some journalists are using social media to connect with their audiences on a deeper level. I see it in the way that some news organizations are making a concerted effort to educate their readers about the importance of news literacy.
But What Can You Do?
Now, I know what you’re thinking. “That’s all well and good, but what can I do?” Well, let me tell you, there’s plenty.
First of all, you can stop sharing that nonsense on Facebook. You know the stuff I’m talking about. The “Breaking News” headlines that are clearly just clickbait. The “exclusive” stories that are clearly just made up. The “shocking” revelations that are clearly just false. Stop it. Just stop.
Secondly, you can start supporting quality journalism. Subscribe to a newspaper. Donate to a non-profit news organization. Buy a magazine. Show them that you value what they do. Show them that you’re willing to pay for it.
And finally, you can start talking about this stuff. Talk to your friends. Talk to your family. Talk to your neighbors. Talk to your barista. Talk to your hairdresser. Talk to your dog, for all I care. Just talk about it. Because the more we talk about it, the more we can raise awareness. And the more we raise awareness, the more we can effect change.
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A Quick Tangent: The Weather
You know, I was gonna write about the weather here. How it’s been all over the place lately. How it was 78 degrees last week and now it’s in the 50s. How I can’t seem to keep up. But then I thought, “Nah, that’s not really relevant.” So I’m not gonna. But I just wanted to mention it. Because, you know, it’s on my mind.
Back to the Point
Look, I’m not gonna pretend that this is an easy problem to solve. It’s not. It’s complex. It’s nuanced. It’s messy. But that doesn’t mean we should just give up. Because the stakes are too high. Because the consequences are too severe. Because the future of our democracy depends on it.
So let’s get to work. Let’s roll up our sleeves. Let’s get our hands dirty. Let’s do this thing. Because it’s not just about us. It’s about our kids. It’s about our grandkids. It’s about the future of our society.
And frankly, I think we owe it to them to get this right.
About the Author
Jane Doe has been a senior editor at London Weekly for over two decades. She’s seen it all, done it all, and has the scars to prove it. When she’s not editing, you can find her arguing with people on Twitter, complaining about the weather, or trying to convince her cat that she’s not the boss of her.
She lives in London with her partner, their two kids, and a cat who thinks it’s a dog. She loves a good debate, a strong cup of tea, and a well-told story. She hates typos, liars, and people who say “literally” when they mean “figuratively.”
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