8 Tips for Navigating Today's Media Landscape
Taking control of the news you allow into your life may seem overwhelming, but it’s easier than you think. With a step-by-step plan and a bit of patience, you can navigate today’s media landscape like a pro. Our eight tips offer practical advice and insider know-how to help you make smarter choices, avoid information overload, and engage with the news confidently.
1. Set Time Limits – Put yourself on a schedule to check the news throughout the day, for no more than one hour at a time. This is especially important when the news may be severe. Protecting your mental well-being is a priority.
2. Use News Like A Pro – Check newspapers (print or online) in the morning, then you TV, radio and internet news throughout the day. Why? Newspapers give the most background on a story. The other media formats lack the depth of newspapers. Instead, they focus on story updates.
3. Own Your Mind – Give priority to news stories and news reports. Then turn to commentary, editorials and talk shows, which provide opinions on the news. Use labels and onscreen menus to help guide you from sections of news to sections of opinion. It’s important to get the facts first; otherwise, other people’s opinions will influence your decisions.
4. Rough Draft – Treat breaking news the same way you treat a new app: Expect it to be full of bugs that will be sorted out later, as the story unfolds. Breaking news is very much a rough draft.
5. Pings Aren’t Important – If you use your phone to bring you the news of the day, you’ll get pinged each time a news outlet updates a story. On your laptop, you may see multiple news alerts dropping into your inbox simultaneously. Don’t panic: Credible news outlets carry the same news stories. Ignore the number of pings, which may seem overwhelming. Pay attention to the actual news instead.
6. Watch Out for This – The 24-hour cable news channels are not filled with 24 hours of news reports. Much of that time is devoted to talk shows — which are opinion-driven — and some even air documentaries and satire shows.
Watch whatever you want, just know what you’re watching.
7. Protect the Children – Small children can actively absorb news adults ignore as background noise. When news is severe, children can end up feeling scared or afraid, and unable to articulate their feelings. Be sure to monitor all the news in the house, and talk to kids to reassure them they are safe.
8. Social Media Etiquette – When it comes to social media, do not share information from unnamed sources, or advice from people who are not recognized experts. To do so is irresponsible behavior. (Note: An influencer is not an expert, although some experts may be influencers.)