The Media Makes Money On Making You Fear Change

 The Media Makes Money On Making You Fear Change

The Media Makes Money On Making You Fear Change

Here are some ways the news media financially benefits from perpetuating fears about change and how to see through it:

Attention Economics

Fear grabs attention.

In the digital age, where information is abundant and attention is the scarce resource, news outlets are in constant competition to attract your attention.

Headlines that invoke fear or concern are more likely to get clicked on, which in turn increases page views and advertising revenue.

Take everything with a grain of salt, no matter how it is communicated it usually isn't as bad as it is presented

High Engagement

Fear-based narratives often elicit strong emotional reactions, which does encourage engagement.

This can take the form of comments, likes, or shares on social media platforms, making the content more visible and attracting more viewers or readers.

More engagement equates to more advertising revenue.

Audience Loyalty

Fear can create a sense of urgency and dependency, making viewers or readers more likely to come back for updates.

This consistent audience is attractive to advertisers, who are willing to pay more to access a 'captive' audience.

Sensationalism

Fear can easily be sensationalized, and sensational stories often get more coverage than non-sensational stories.

This creates a loop where fear-based stories get more attention, which in turn justifies additional fear-based coverage.

Political and Ideological Benefits

Fear-based narratives often align well with particular ideological agendas, and catering to these can attract sponsorship or support from like-minded organizations or donors.

For example, media outlets with a particular ideological bend may highlight stories that stoke fears aligned with that ideology, thereby attracting more viewers or readers from that ideological group.

Subscription Models

Some media outlets, particularly those that have moved away from an ad-based model, use fear as a way to drive subscriptions.

The logic is similar to creating audience loyalty; if people are afraid, they are more likely to pay for consistent, reliable information.

It's worth noting that not all media outlets operate this way, and many journalists and editors work hard to provide balanced, fact-based reporting.

However, the economic pressures outlined above can sometimes result in a skewed portrayal of risks, including the risks associated with various forms of change.

So at the end of the day, remove negative headlines and sentiments from your consumption to lead to an overall better frame of mind.