Op-Ed: Positive News Has Value

If you turn on your television to the news then I am sure you’re going to see death, drugs and scandals. Now, go to your timeline and what do you see? You’ll probably see headlines that are more focused on getting clicks than stories that have substance.

Whether you’re looking for it or not, you experience negative news every single day and it affects the way you view the world. No matter how you receive your news, whether that’s from CNN, The Shade Room or a local publication, they’re all pretty much covering the same thing.

No matter what anyone says, the media is bias because it’s ran by people. People are deciding what you get to know and how you receive that information. It’s all very calculated and it’s a reason why the news is associated with negativity.

The younger generations are truly tired of being bombarded with news that doesn’t resonate with them. Thousands of Millennials avoid the news because it negatively affects their mood. How many times have you been having an okay day then you hear or read something from the news, and now your day has done a full 180?

Positive news has the same effect as the negative stuff, but we don’t get a chance to see that because “negative news sells.” People want to know who opened up a new business in their neighborhood or hear about a community leader that has impacted 100s of children’s lives. Once we see positive things on a daily basis then that will inspire us all to think, do and be positive.

Positive news is not “fluff.” Positive news is just a different side of journalism that doesn’t get the credit and shine that it deserves. Positive news is giving a voice to the people who are making a difference even in a world that tells them nothing good is going on. Positive news has value.

The media affects the way we maneuver through the world. There are people who won’t ever consider stepping foot into Milwaukee because they’re afraid they might get shot, robbed or beat up. Those are the same people who watch the news every single day, but don’t make the effort to actually dig deeper into the stories that they’re fed. Because if they did, then they would see that Milwaukee is just full of talented people who are tired of not being given the proper opportunities and platforms to shine.

The news focuses so much on the negative things that reporters truly believe we as a society don’t deserve better. We deserve to be fed news that inspires us and not degrades us. Yes, negative things occur every single day, but so do the positive things.

Ask yourself: If I read or seen something positive every day instead of something negative, how would that affect my day?

I have a challenge for you and that is to intentionally look for positive stories. Instead of sharing negativity, make it your mission to give a platform to all of the good in the world.

Be a part of the change and send us your positive story ideas at CNS@carvdnstone.com.