Self-imposed news blackout!
By eileenleyva
@eileenleyva (27562)
Philippines
November 4, 2011 6:22pm CST
Several years back, I got so tired of the news that I did not read the newspaper nor tuned in to the television for an entire year. When friends talk about this and that, I simply move away and do something else... I couldn't bear the news! But of course, one day, after a year, I was able to listen again....
Then it happened again. I was, for the longest time, following the daily news about tragic court cases, disappearances and kidnappings, suicide, catastrophic earth flooding and uncontrollable fire, devastation, people ruining people, politicians up for grabs, etcetera. Then I said I had enough. The boob tube was turned incapacitated for almost three months. I turned on the radio though yesterday, and it was the same stuff. So, I turned it off.
Hmmmm, perhaps today, I would get that remote control and watch the news. The weather, after all, is changing.
If I have my way though, I'd rather keep up with family and friends, just talking, eating, sharing passions and interests... living life... loving.
I am still finding a reason to listen to the news.... Sigh!
5 people like this
14 responses
@miadsoriano (884)
• Philippines
14 Nov 11
The same thing happened to me some 10 years back. I was single then. I just got fed up by all the negative news items and headlines. All they were giving me were "negative vibes". I hate to admit it, but I easily get affected by things happening around me. The same is true even when I watch drama anthologies. So I stopped watching both the news and soap operas. I remember only starting to watch the news or listen to AM radio after 5 years. But the blackout on drama programs is still in effect. Honest!
1 person likes this
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
14 Nov 11
Unlike you, i always watch the news. Like you said, they almost contain the same, killings here and there ,corruptions etc. But still they are news and as a citizen of the Philippines, i have to know them. It might turn out that the killer might have transferred to our place. 
1 person likes this
@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
18 Nov 11
Please, not on my part of the world! Advice good though, we simply cannot be too careful and it pays to know...
@cerebellum (3863)
• United States
5 Nov 11
I have a friend that never watches the news because it is all bad, so you are not the only one. I watch the weather and not too much else. I listen to the radio while I am exercising and find out some stuff from there. My mother also tells me about some things on the news so I don't really feel like I am missing anything.
@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
5 Nov 11
That is a good way to deal with the ugly stories in life. Glad you are able to work it out, and that you have a mother to discuss life with.
@starsailover (7829)
• Mexico
6 Nov 11
Hi eileen leyva: It's sad to say but at some point when all I saw on the local news was violence and bad news I felt sick I stop watching them. I think so many people do this in order to hide themselves from negativity. However, to know what's happening in the world it's important. I think the newspapers should be more aware of their social responsibility not creating more stress on the people . They have the right to inform but at the same time they should realize that the way they report things could make them even worst.
ALVARO
1 person likes this
@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
18 Nov 11
I am sure I just had too much of the bad news... Too much of anything is dangerous, so I kinda veered away from it all for a while...
@EdnaReyes (2622)
• Philippines
8 Nov 11
The only news I am interested right now is about the weather. After all, climate is changing and one needs to be updated to be prepared for what's to come. I rather listen to the music and keep me calm and makes life less stressful.
1 person likes this
@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
18 Nov 11
Music is always good. Hey Edna, the weather is always unpredictable but yes, it always interesting to hear the weather reports...
@Sanitary (3968)
• Singapore
7 Nov 11
Yes, news are always the same, no matter when and where we tune in to it. It's always politics, entertainment, sports, disasters and nothing else. When i'm able to read them online, in the papers, why would i bother to tune in right? IF there's any breaking news, i'm sure it won't be as fast as the internet or even tweeter. With that, news channel is deemed unnecessary, better to be removed. It's been years since i last watched or hear any news from both tv and radio.
@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
18 Nov 11
Yup, radio and tv are always sensationalized. The internet is a better way of receiving some devastating shocks, at least our minds comprehend and digest the news without the usual hyper opinion from broadcasters...
1 person likes this
@chiyosan (30184)
• Philippines
5 Nov 11
I am the same as you are. I have decided not to watch news anymore and well since i am used to not reading the newspaper it does npt matter much to me. I would be informed of news when people around me talk abput them but most of the time i would have selective hearing and not understand what they were talking about.
Honestly it does not mean we dont care anymore but that we just choose to not fll our day with the troubles outside our homes. Its our way i guess notjings qrong with that.
1 person likes this
@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
5 Nov 11
chiyosan, that is very true. Although there is so much that is happening in the world out there, it is our prerogative to choose what we like to dwell on. It does not mean that we don't care. That is a very good notion.
@mhayfie (241)
• Philippines
30 Nov 11
When it comes to news, Yesterday is same as today. There's no difference! Either you watch early in the morning or in the evening. And what is more disappointing is that all news revolves around a story of selfishness. I think in one way or another, your action is justified since every move needs a breaks and thinking that watching television would give some sort of relaxation but unfortunately it wasn't. For me, at my age, I believe that the lost of passion of young age who is so indifferent towards news is due to the fact that they don't find satisfaction or enjoyment about the stories that a news has to offer, especially that news now a days are barely solved. So if a crime happens yesterdays then there's also a crime that will happen in the next day and the different would just be the time frame and the person involve. But still, it is so frustrating listening at a same story. (sigh). This things boils down to a question if Philippines the only country who suffer from news neglection by most of its people? Happy mylotting!
@ElicBxn (63252)
• United States
5 Nov 11
I do know about that info overload. I have my tv pretty much set on the local news station, but only because it gives me weather every 10 minutes...
I actually like some news programs, like NPR because they often give more in depth or none headline news, but when they get to politics I often start shouting at them, because of their liberal bias...
1 person likes this
@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
5 Nov 11
Could be a case of info overload. But I suppose I just got to tired to listening to things horrid.
1 person likes this
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
5 Nov 11
Hi elieenleyva, Congratulations! Not many people have the will power to stop watching the news for a full year. Technology has brought the world into our living rooms, and it's bad news that sells. I've found it best to get my news in the early evening rather than before going to bed, that way I have time to digest it and it don't effect my rest. I've reached a point where I just take life one day at a time and refuse to worry about the future. I truly believe that some big changes are coming and that we can never go back to the old ways, but I don't see that as a bad thing. Blessings.
1 person likes this
@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
5 Nov 11
Thanks Pose, for making me look at my dilemma in a brighter light. Life could really be viewed by looking at both the good and the bad, and accept that what is happening around us will all come to pass.
@daeckardt (6237)
• United States
22 Mar 12
I think you are very wise to do this. I seldom listen to the news unless I am sitting in a waiting room at the doctor's office and it is on. Most of what I hear about I hear through mylot of yahoo news or some other headline. I only look at the details if it catches my attention. Many people can't believe that I wasn't following the court cases that had been in the news but that garbage never interested me. I might pay attention if I hear about a disaster of some sort, but other than that I prefer to hear about good things since the media goes out of its way to make the world much more dangerous that it really is. I just hope that at some point that I can find an information outlet that provides factual information without sensationalizing everything. Thanks for bringing this up!
@Ganesh44 (5547)
• India
5 Nov 11
I can understand you yes watching same events happening at different places seems quiete stressful but in my case I dont watch much of the news but still I keep myself updated ........makes me feel I m not ignorant of whats happening around ....
Hare Krishna
Ganesh
@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
5 Nov 11
I keep up with the news so just I know what is happening. But, I guess, I could live without many of it.
@jeanneyvonne (5501)
• Philippines
5 Nov 11
Whenever I am working online, I tend to news block myself - for the sake of my work and for the sake of not getting frustrated. I am a member of the media community but sometimes, it doesn't make me proud.
True, news gets the public to be update about their environemnt but its downright annoying when reporting every chip, block and scrap of anything. Details are important, sure, but there's no reason of torturing people of small bits and pieces and not the general picture.
I don't blame the industry - developments take long to come by but reporting just for the sake of reporting isn't gonna cut it with me. I prefer a more direct and general approach - a reason why if I'm interested in a topic, I get from the internet.
Who knows, maybe, one day, it might improve.
@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
5 Nov 11
A very honest and objective stance. I wish all the people in the media are like you. Hope springs eternal, jeanne, and when that day comes, you will have your satisfaction.
@louievill (28851)
• Philippines
5 Nov 11
Is that the reason for your long absence friend?(kidding), I don't think I would have the will power to impose a self news black out simply because the importance of current events had been instilled in me for a very long time, I won't hide or refuse to hear something simply because it is unpleasant, goes on over and over, redundant, gory etc... it make me want to face more what has to be faced, also being a businessman, I have to be always up to date with the latest news and current events.
(kidding), I don't think I would have the will power to impose a self news black out simply because the importance of current events had been instilled in me for a very long time, I won't hide or refuse to hear something simply because it is unpleasant, goes on over and over, redundant, gory etc... it make me want to face more what has to be faced, also being a businessman, I have to be always up to date with the latest news and current events. 1 person likes this
@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
5 Nov 11
You are a good virtual friend, louie, you know me very well. That is a reason, yes, but perhaps I also wanted to change some things a bit. Not exactly at the crossroads were young people find themselves to be, but more than that, I felt that there was just something that could make my life more vibrant... And the news was dampening...
