I over-consumed media before the election. I was glued to my phone all day and late into the night, reading everything and diving into endless rabbit holes. What was I looking for? A glimmer of hope that the outcome would be something I could live with.
My spouse called me neurotic. I muttered under my breath, "You won’t think I’m neurotic when everything I’m afraid of comes true." Yep, that sounds neurotic.
After the election, like many others, I went on a media-free diet. Considering I have a degree in Journalism and spent my career as a writer, this was not an easy diet to maintain. But I avoided news feeds. I canceled subscriptions. I stopped reading op-eds predicting frightening possibilities. I even blocked those annoying texts and emails with contradictory headlines, fake deadlines, and donation requests disguised as surveys.
Then I learned that two-thirds of Democrats are avoiding political news. That scared me. And it should scare all of us.
We can’t afford to be ignorant about what’s happening in our halls of government. We can’t sit on the sidelines or ignore the world around us. And we can’t abandon the media, especially at a time when it is being threatened by those in power.
So, I’ve reconsidered my media diet. I’ve changed both what I consume and how I consume it. Instead of passively taking in whatever is served to me, I actively seek out information from trusted and enjoyable outlets, including:
For state news: NC Newsline Free, but accepts contributions. Provides excellent coverage and insightful commentary with a progressive/left-leaning perspective.
For U.S. news: 1440 Free. Offers brief summaries of news and events, with the option to explore topics in greater depth when desired.
For global news: The Economist Half-price subscriptions may still be available. Features some of the best journalism today, including top-notch U.S. coverage.
For a balanced news diet, with laughs: The Onion Free. Satirical, humorous, and often irreverent.
I’m hopeful that my new approach to consuming news will keep me informed without making me neurotic. And I strongly encourage you to re-engage, stay informed, and remain aware. If we don’t know what’s happening, we can’t hold those in power accountable or fight against what we believe is wrong. Knowledge is power, and what we don’t know can hurt us.
Do you have a favorite media source? Share it with me, and we’ll post a list.
Name of media:
Website/URL:
Focus (national, local, etc.):
Cost:
Topics covered:
Summary (length of articles, delivery frequency, etc.):
Email your suggestions to ccnana0920@gmail.com.
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