Why is there so much negative news? Decoding it through psychology and media structure | Good Japan Times

Are there people who feel like all they see on TV news or social media is depressing news?


Every day, someone is angry, and someone is blaming someone else.


Before we knew it, we seem to be
living surrounded only by "bad stories."



Actually, I've been wondering about this for 10 years.
"Why do they only broadcast negative news like murder cases, tragic accidents, war, and economic stagnation?"



Some might think in response to this question, "It has a preventive or deterrent effect. Even if the actual news is only negative content, it is necessary to know it in order to understand the facts of the real world."


I think that's a fair point.

But in reality, it's not such a noble reason.

There are three hidden reasons.

1. The human brain reacts more to negative news

Our ancestors had to be vigilant against threats to their survival.
Therefore, the human brain is designed to react strongly to negative information.
From an evolutionary perspective, this makes perfect sense.

In psychology, this is called "negativity bias."

To avoid "danger," people are designed to react more sensitively to "anxiety, anger, and fear" than to positive information.


In other words, the reason the media broadcasts so much "bad news" is because the human brain has a nature that is drawn to such information.

2. The cycle of fear and relief - The pretextual reason

There is another well-known psychological mechanism. It is "Terror Management Theory."

When people are exposed to events that remind them of "death" or "anxiety," they tend to cling to "things that provide relief" in an attempt to balance their minds.

When dark news such as murder cases or traffic accidents is broadcast, the viewer's mind unconsciously enters a negative state.


What is broadcast immediately after that is—yes, commercials or infomercials.


After receiving negative stimulation, people want to "get something" to cancel out that anxiety.
This psychological state leads to an increase in the desire to purchase.

In other words, advertisements that air after fear or anxiety are broadcast at the exact moment to fill the gaps in the viewer's mind.
It is not a mere coincidence, but a "raw strategy aimed at sales promotion effects."

3. The real structure - Why the media chooses negative

Those who report the news know very well what kind of information people react to.

They intentionally use negative news that people react strongly to.
Because negative news "increases viewership ratings, page views, and click counts."

The more strongly people's emotions are moved, the higher the advertising revenue, the more products are sold, and the media gains profit.


Negative news was a "marketing device that exploits people's anxiety."


Even if it looks like they are reporting on social issues at first glance, there was actually a flow of "anxiety -> consumption" behind it.


And social media algorithms are designed to preferentially display posts that gather many "likes" and "reposts." (It's a mechanism where you only get information you like through filter bubbles.)

Because anger, fear, and conflict are easy to generate reactions, they are spread overwhelmingly more than calm "good news."

Before we know it, we might be being shown an illusion that "the world is getting worse and worse."



That's why, starting today, I will!!

Start this newspaper as a weekly publication!!

"News that cheers you up! Good Japan Times."

Here, I want to convey only news that becomes a "source of energy."

So that the hearts of those who read it will feel a little lighter,
and they can feel, "Ah, Japan is wonderful. It's not a lost cause."
I want to spread a cycle of small hope from here.

This newspaper is by no means intended to ignore the negative darkness of Japan.


Rather than words that hurt someone,
words that illuminate someone.


Instead of fear, hope.

Instead of anger, smiles.


News that inspires hope, news that makes you smile.

Published every Wednesday!
"News that cheers you up! Good Japan Times"
- Good news changes the world.

Thank you for listening this far.

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