News Stress?

How media learnt to trigger the biological stress responses in you - the consumer.

Even though you think you're not affected by polarizing news content, you actually are. In fact, studies show that you think that OTHERS are more affected than you, because they are not "smart" enough to detect the misinformation. Consuming a lot of negative information can also make you feel the "news stress" or anxious, sad, and hopeless. This gap between what you think and what's true is called the 'third-person effect.

News Stress and Third-Person Effect

There are many models in psychology that look at how media influneces our brains. I chose to mention theThird-Person Effect here as explained by Fred W. Sanborn in A Congnitive Psychology of Mass Communication.

Third-Person Effect: Research has shown that when people are exposed to toxic or negative information diets in the media, they tend to believe that the harmful effects of such content primarily impact others, rather than themselves. They perceive that prolonged exposure to content nurturing conflict and division is more likely to harm the mental health of others.

Despite this perception, individuals who consume polarising content are not immune to its effects. Prolonged exposure to toxic or negative information diets can indeed have several mental health repercussions, including increased anxiety, depression, and feelings of hopelessness for the individuals themselves. This disconnect between perception and reality, where people believe they are less affected than others, is known as the "third-person effect.

Did Luxembourg Catch The News Stress Fever?

*this is an example of a sensationalist subtitle

As Luxembourgers prepare to head to the polls in a few days, the role of traditional and digital media has come into focus, with some arguing certain outlets promote sensationalism or partisanship that could color voter perceptions.

Long known for its stable multiparty democracy and consensus-driven politics, the small Grand Duchy is facing growing polarization - obviously by new forms of journalism that prioritize clicks over facts.

The massive amount of partisan and clickbait media carries psychological consequences for consumers. Constant exposure to antagonistic 'us vs. them' narratives and alarmist reports promote physiological stress responses.

This type of stress activates the amygdala that creates a natural response of defensive thinking, making a reasonable discussion more difficult.

These stress responses are related to the body's "fight or flight" mechanism and the media has learned how to use the power of human biological responses.

Negative Journalism brings News Stress

Lets list some types of partisan and click-bait types of journallism.

• Yellow Journalism: This term historically referred to sensationalist and exaggerated reporting, often with lurid headlines and an emphasis on scandal and gossip. You know, your typical Hello magazine analysis of the amounts of cellulite celebrities have allowed themselves to have.

• Partisan Journalism: Some news outlets openly align themselves with a particular political ideology and prioritize promoting that ideology over providing balanced reporting. This polarizes society by reinforcing existing political divisions. In the US we are all very clear on where FOXNews stands.

• Echo Chamber Journalism: In the digital age, people can curate their news sources to only hear perspectives that align with their existing beliefs. This creates an echo chamber where individuals are exposed only to information that confirms their preconceptions, reinforcing polarization. Think of your personalised Youtube playlists or Spotify podcats.

• Conspiracy Theory Reporting: Certain media outlets promote conspiracy theories without evidence. This contributes to misinformation and deepens social division with creating alternative facts narratives. Maybe the party 'Mir d'Vollek' (We the People) rings a few bells?

• Clickbait Journalism: Online media often prioritize sensational and misleading headlines and content to generate clicks and ad revenue. This leads to shallow reporting and sensationalism. Here I can list too many examples from BuzzFeed to Huffington Post.

• Infotainment: News outlets that blend entertainment and news prioritize engaging storytelling over comprehensive and unbiased reporting. While this attracts a broad audience, it does not provide in-depth information on important issues. Remember The O'Reilly Factor or even The Oprah Winfrey Show?

• Negative Campaign Journalism: During political campaigns, some media outlets choose to focus excessively on negative aspects, such as personal attacks or scandalous stories, rather than policy positions. This contributes to a hostile political climate. The examples of vandalism against The Greens and Focus parties' posters in Luxembourg are quite literally a violent action, but it can take a much less aggressive action to cause a toxic political environment. For example we are all aware of the ads where politicians list the negative points of their opponents.

Many Realities

As individuals internalize competing versions of reality presented by partisan media, it clearly damages interpersonal bonds of empathy and understanding. We saw this on January 6th in the USA. When people are exposed to information that reinforces their existing beliefs, it becomes impossible to engage in productive dialogue with those who hold different views. Have a look at any of Jordan Klepper's visits to Right Wing rallies on YouTube.

Vulnerable individuals, such as those already prone to stress or individuals living in stressful life situtations, are disproportionately affected by media polarization. This shows the importance of addressing the potential mental health impact of media consumption with objective and non-political institutions.

The Role of Journalism

Journalism cannot deepen the divisions in our society. If your chosen media sources consistently leave you feeling angry and stressed, it's vital to reconsider where you get your information. Seek out diverse, credible, and balanced sources that prioritize factual reporting and responsible journalism.

Media consumption should contribute to a more informed and harmonious society, and as consumers, we have to make responsible choices about our news sources.

In the realm of pure capitalism, as with any unchecked industry, there emerges a natural inclination toward the path of least resistance for growth. Journalism, as an industry, discovered that profitability could be achieved through advertising revenue, and the most effective way to attract advertisers is by nurturing high viewership.

Consequently, the fusion of clickbait, infotainment, and other sensationalistic elements has cultivated an ideal environment for the journalism business.

Yet, shall we allow it to be a pure business?

Nurturing Democracy

As we approach the upcoming election season in Luxembourg, the critical role of media in shaping public opinion cannot be overstated. While the business of journalism faces challenges, including the allure of sensationalism and polarization for attracting viewers and advertisers, it is important for both media professionals and the public to uphold the principles of a healthy democracy.

Citizens must actively engage in media literacy and critical thinking.

This involves seeking out diverse sources of information, fact-checking claims, and being aware of the potential biases of news outlets.

The health of democracy relies on a symbiotic relationship between responsible journalism and an informed and engaged citizenry. By actively addressing the divisive and stressful aspects of media coverage and assuming the responsibility to be well-informed and engaged voters, we can contribute to the preservation of optimism and our own as well as the democracy's wellbeing. Maybe the first signs of News Stress should be your indicator that you should do your media health check.