The Silent Coup: How the Rise of Online News is Destroying the Very Fabric of Our Society
A new report from the UK’s Ofcom has confirmed what we’ve all known to be true: TV news is dead. The once-mighty medium has been supplanted by online platforms, which have become the go-to source for news among adult consumers. But this shift is not just a simple case of technology catching up with changing times. No, it’s much more sinister than that.
The rise of online news has created a perfect storm of misinformation, disinformation, and downright lies. With the click of a button, anyone can become a "news" source, spewing forth a never-ending stream of falsehoods and propaganda. And the worst part? People are eating it up like it’s going out of style.
The numbers are staggering. 71% of adults in the UK now get their news from online sources, compared to just 70% from TV. And it’s not just the UK – this trend is playing out all over the world. The implications are terrifying.
The rise of online news has created a culture of clickbait and sensationalism, where the goal is to get as many clicks as possible, regardless of the truth. And the more clicks you get, the more money you make. It’s a vicious cycle that’s destroying the very fabric of our society.
But it’s not just the news itself that’s the problem. It’s the way it’s being consumed. People are no longer getting their news from reputable sources, like newspapers and TV stations. Instead, they’re getting it from social media platforms, like Facebook and Twitter. And these platforms are not equipped to handle the kind of misinformation that’s being spread.
The consequences are dire. People are becoming increasingly polarized, with many forming their opinions based on what they see on social media. And the more they see, the more entrenched they become in their beliefs. It’s a recipe for disaster.
So what’s the solution? Well, it’s not as simple as just turning off the internet. We need to fundamentally change the way we consume news. We need to start valuing truth and accuracy over clicks and likes. We need to start holding news sources accountable for the information they spread.
And we need to start doing it now. The future of our society depends on it.
