The rise of digital media has led to an increase in the use of clickbait headlines and the spread of false or misleading news stories that prioritize attracting clicks and ad revenue over factual reporting. This has distorted the public's understanding of current events and eroded trust in journalism. Many websites exist solely to propagate flimsy and baseless stories, prioritizing clicks and impressions over factual reporting.
Reporters are facing increasing pressure to produce sensationalized content that panders to readers' short attention spans to attract clicks and views. This type of content, which is often exaggerated or sensationalized, performs better than more accurate and thorough reporting. Partisan contributors often share completely fabricated stories from the fringe and alternative news websites, further fueling confirmation bias and political polarization. In some ways, social media is contributing to a decline in the quality of public discourse and political polarization.
The rise of online partisan media has had several negative consequences. One of the main consequences is the spread of false or misleading information, which can distort the public's understanding of current events. This can lead to political polarization, as people are only exposed to information confirming their beliefs. Additionally, the pressure to produce sensationalized content that attracts clicks and views can lead to a decline in the quality of journalism and a lack of trust in the media. Using algorithms to determine which posts users see can also create "filter bubbles" where people are only exposed to certain types of information, further contributing to political polarization.
Facebook's news feed algorithm can manipulate which posts users see by determining their visibility and order. The algorithm chooses posts users will likely engage with to keep them on the platform.
1. Ensure that users receive only accurate and authentic news, and not exaggerated information?
2. Ensure objectivity and truth.
3. Make the platform self-funded without relying on advertisers.
4. Use the news to create awareness instead of sensation.
5. Have multiple viewpoints of the same story to ensure the user is aware of all the sides of the story?
6. Cater to the intended demographic, especially the youth.
7. enable users to have more opportunities for interaction and engagement on the app with other users?
8. Retain the targetted demographics’s attention.
The final idea is a self-funded news platform that serves the youth by aggregating news from various sources. The platform is community-driven, with members voting on what topic interests them to know more about using polls. In a world where news is published to create a sensation, this platform aims to raise awareness by providing balanced, actionable insights relevant to the intended demographic. The AI-powered algorithm examines all news, collates, and categorizes it to ensure that both sides of the story are presented, allowing users to make informed decisions. This platform offers the news behind the news, providing perspective and knowledge. One way to make reading more engaging and more accessible to comprehend is by using a non-linear approach, which allows for greater flexibility in navigating complex information. This method of reading can be beneficial when skimming through articles, as it will enable the reader to focus on the most critical points rather than being tied to a linear progression. This can be especially useful when consuming news or social media, where the abundance of information can be overwhelming. Using a non-linear approach, readers can break up the monotony and more effectively process the presented information.