Rethinking Our News Diet: Embracing Slow News

Especially during difficult times, I’ve started practicing what I call Slow News: consuming information more slowly. You might disagree. You might get mad. But let me try to convince you that you should do the same.

We interrupt this visual with more breaking news!

The Rush of Breaking News and Its Toll

The digital age made news a hallmark of our day. Breaking news alerts, live updates, WhatsApp messages from our family and friends, and a continuous stream of social media posts (on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter/”X,” TikTok, and even LinkedIn) have created an environment where news is constant and overwhelming.

While staying informed is crucial, the immediate nature of news today can lead to rushed judgments, heightened anxiety, and a fragmented understanding of complex issues.

In short, we end up misinformed and stressed — the opposite of what we want.

Fast News is About Controlling the Narrative

The rush to publish news seeks to attract an audience through emotional engagement (usually by triggering anger, sadness, and fury) and to shape the public narrative. It is about control — control of your emotions and opinions.

Being the first to report on an event significantly influences initial perceptions and, subsequently, the beliefs and viewpoints that develop from it.

News can profoundly guide conversations and influence the decisions and actions of individuals and institutions. If I report a matter first, I can control how it’s perceived and the take-away.

When the news is incomplete or hastily reported, it risks steering our beliefs and decisions in directions that might not align with our true values or the truth itself.

Quickly, before they put it in perspective!

Understanding ‘Slow News’

“Slow News” is a different approach to consuming news, allowing time for events to unfold and for in-depth, well-researched reporting to emerge before forming strong opinions.

This approach is particularly relevant for volatile topics (such as geopolitical conflicts or global crises), where initial reports may be incomplete or biased.

“Slow News” does not mean being uninformed but instead choosing to be informed in a more reflective, deliberate manner.

The Benefits of ‘Slow News’

This might sound like nonsense, but let me cover why it is so useful.

1. Combatting Misinformation: Accuracy is often lost in the rush to report first. “Slow News” allows for fact-checking and verification, reducing the spread of misinformation. This careful approach builds a more trustworthy news ecosystem.
2. Prioritizing Quality Over Quantity: “Slow News” emphasizes the quality of reporting, ensuring that audiences receive well-researched and thoughtfully presented information.
3. Encouraging Critical Thinking: With “Slow News,” we allow ourselves the time to digest different viewpoints, analyze the context, and develop a more nuanced understanding. This nurtures critical thinking and helps us avoid jumping to conclusions based on incomplete information.
4. Reducing Stress and Anxiety: The barrage of breaking news, especially on distressing topics, can be a significant source of stress and anxiety. By engaging with “Slow News,” we can stay informed while protecting our mental health.
5. Preventing Sensationalism: “Slow News” counteracts the sensationalism that often characterizes immediate reporting. It focuses on depth and significance, providing a more balanced and comprehensive view of events.
6. Improving Decision-Making: A “Slow News” approach offers a more stable foundation built on verified and thorough information for individuals and professionals whose decisions are influenced by news.
7. Fostering Long-term Engagement: This approach encourages sustained engagement with a topic, leading to deeper understanding and long-lasting awareness.
8. Promoting Responsible Journalism: It also encourages journalists to invest more in thorough reporting and fact-checking, catering to an audience that values depth and accuracy.

Navigating the Challenge

Reaching this point, you likely think, “Sounds great for you, but I can’t do it.” In a world where immediacy often equates to relevance, stepping back requires a conscious effort. It means resisting the temptation to react immediately and allowing ourselves the time to process information.

It might seem like a privilege not to focus on the news as much. I know it isn’t easy, but we will do better by ourselves and by the events that happen and the people they impact by allowing more time for a more complete picture.

How to Practice ‘Slow News’

1. Choose Reliable Sources: Opt for news outlets known for their in-depth analysis and responsible journalism. GroundNews and AllSides offer transparency into reports and help you understand the political map of news organizations to reduce news bias.
2. Limit News Intake: Set specific times for news consumption rather than continuously checking for updates. Choose a deliberate time to get informed so others don’t choose it for you, along with their narrative.
3. Diversify Sources: Look at multiple sources for a broad spectrum of perspectives. Look for articles contradicting your instincts and opinions — something we all find uncomfortable. Try to understand the viewpoints of others. You might still strongly disagree with those viewpoints, but you would better understand their position and yours.
4. Reflect Before Reacting: Give yourself time to think about what you’ve read or watched before forming an opinion. Can you articulate multiple conflicting perspectives, including those you object to?
5. Only Engage in Deliberate Discussion: Seek conversations in which you both listen intently to disagreement and feel heard in voicing your thoughts.
6. Stay Patient: Understand that some stories take time to develop fully, and initial reports may not always have the complete picture.

The Compassionate Approach

More unverified information does not make one more knowledgeable

Adopting “Slow News” is a personal choice and a compassionate stance towards ourselves and the world. In times of crisis and uncertainty, it’s easy to be swept away by the tide of rapid information.

However, by choosing to slow down, we nurture our mental well-being and contribute to a more informed, thoughtful society.

Conclusion

The allure of instant updates is undeniable, but it leaves us overwhelmed and underinformed, especially during challenging times.

Taking time to process information helps us engage with each other better, form solid positions, and avoid unnecessary arguments fueled by ignorance and sensationalism.

It’s hard. I know. But give it a shot. It will take longer, but in the long run, you will be smarter, wiser, and calmer.