Is Network News Really Benefiting the Public Anymore?
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The Evolution of News
From a young age, I found myself captivated by the news. One of my earliest memories is of summers at my grandparents' home in Phoenix, where my sister and I spent our days playing in the pool while my grandparents were glued to the Watergate hearings.
Earlier still, I recall sitting at the dinner table during the late 1960s, where the background hum of network news delivered daily updates on U.S. casualties in Vietnam with an alarming sense of detachment. In my family—and likely in many others—these broadcasts often sparked political discussions, coupled with complaints about various issues. While I can't pinpoint how much this influenced my decision to major in journalism in college, I suspect it played a role.
Over the years, the landscape of "news" has transformed significantly. Not only has the medium of delivery changed, but the content has also shifted. Nowadays, especially on cable channels, there’s a heavy emphasis on opinion-driven segments that often lean toward negativity and blame.
Despite this shift, the regular viewership numbers for cable news pale in comparison to the traditional 30-minute evening broadcasts on networks like ABC, NBC, or CBS. This discrepancy leads me to regard cable news as a niche genre.
The Fast Pace of Network News
Network news broadcasts often feel like a rapid-fire sequence of topics crammed into roughly 22 minutes of airtime. What continues to astonish me is the sheer volume of distressing news that anchors manage to convey in such a short span. For instance, here’s a brief overview of the NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt on November 13:
- Israel vs. Hamas — devastating scenes from a Gaza hospital
- U.S. forces in Syria under attack, responding with airstrikes
- A U.S. military helicopter crash in the Mediterranean, resulting in five fatalities
- Concerns over Tuesday's Israel rally in Washington, D.C.
- A Secret Service member firing at robbers outside Biden's granddaughter's residence
- Rising crime statistics in Washington, D.C.
- The Supreme Court implementing an ethics code, lacking enforcement details
- The looming threat of another government shutdown
- A meeting between U.S. and Chinese presidents in San Francisco amidst economic tensions
- Traffic chaos in Los Angeles following a fire under the 10 freeway
- New charges for a Pennsylvania inmate who escaped prison in September
- Anticipation of record travel numbers for Thanksgiving, despite a potential government shutdown
- A "stress test" for the airline industry this Thanksgiving
- Decreased gas prices compared to last year
- Justice served for over 100 Black American soldiers wrongfully convicted over a century ago
If we categorize the Supreme Court's ethics code as "good news," then out of 16 topics, only three could be seen in a positive light—two of which were the final stories of the night. This trend was not an anomaly; the same NBC broadcast on November 15 featured similarly grim headlines:
- Israeli Defense Force troops conducting a raid on a major Gaza hospital
- For the first time in over a month, Israel allows fuel shipments to Gaza
- FBI alerts about rising terror threats in the U.S.
- Palestinians navigating a "humanitarian corridor" in Gaza with uncertain returns
- No sign of hostages taken by Hamas on October 7
- Biden and Xi meeting in person after a year
- Summarizing U.S.-China tensions — can they transcend their differences, as suggested by Xi?
- Cooperation on Fentanyl shipments from China
- China attempting to shape domestic public opinion
- A fatal bus accident in Ohio claiming three children's lives
- Alec Baldwin potentially facing more charges related to the "Rust" shooting
- Eight teenagers arrested in Las Vegas for the fatal beating of a 17-year-old
- Evolving medical opinions on treating torn ACLs
- The youngest Division 1 college coach at just 23 leading the UNC women's field hockey team to the Final Four
While these latter stories are noteworthy, the predominance of negative news raises questions about why networks consistently prioritize such content.
A Potential Explanation
I can't assert definitively, but I suspect the primary driver behind the focus on "bad news" is ratings. Evidence from the University of Michigan's study across 17 countries shows that viewers tend to react more strongly to negative news stories. Additionally, a BBC-referenced study found that even individuals who prefer positive content still linger on negative stories.
It seems many of us possess a "negativity bias," especially regarding news—think "doom scrolling." With mental health issues gaining more attention, a constant influx of negative information appears detrimental, except perhaps for television networks and their advertisers.
Recent studies highlighted by AARP indicate that older individuals with poor mental health and higher stress levels face a greater risk of dementia. Just a glance at network newscasts reveals a demographic skew toward older viewers.
Connecting the Dots
Consider this: millions of older viewers consuming a relentless stream of negative news, leading to distress, which may ultimately affect their health. This scenario is troubling and should concern everyone.
However, it doesn’t have to be this way. Numerous uplifting stories exist that could provide a refreshing balance. In the same three-day span, I discovered several positive stories:
- A profile on "Super Agers," featuring a 96-year-old faculty member at Chapman University
- The much-anticipated return of Formula One racing to Las Vegas this weekend
- A list of underrated U.S. cities with more affordable housing options
- California's first widespread rainfall of the season, improving drought conditions
- An inspiring story about Student Veterans of America transitioning from combat to education
- A 40% decrease in U.S. passport processing times, easing international travel plans
I may be idealistic, but I believe incorporating more positive stories could help restore balance and benefit many viewers. As I reflect on the current state of network news, here are my three main takeaways:
- Despite mental health and positivity concerns, the "if it bleeds, it leads" mentality—bolstered by additional negative narratives—appears to be the most effective strategy for attracting viewers and boosting ratings.
- Any positive takeaway from network news broadcasts seems like a mere bonus because…
- Like much of the media, network news exists not as a public service but as a profit-driven venture for networks and their advertisers.
It would indeed be refreshing to witness some positive changes... but I won't be holding my breath.
The first video explores whether Americans have trust in the news media, diving into the complexities of public perception and media credibility.
The second video discusses how think tanks and self-proclaimed experts influence news narratives, shedding light on the manipulation of public opinion.