Why I Stopped Watching the News (And What I Do Instead)

In 2025, trust in news media hit a record low. Just 28% of people expressed confidence in newspapers, television, and radio to report the news fairly. That's not a blip; it's a trend that's been building for over a decade. And it's pushing millions of people to rethink how, or whether, they consume news at all.

But "stopping the news" doesn't have to mean becoming uninformed. For many people, it means replacing a broken system with something better.

Why People Are Quitting Traditional News

The reasons are consistent across surveys and online communities. People cite:

• Perceived bias: 67% of people who distrust the media say bias, spin, and hidden agendas are the main reasons
• Negativity overload: News coverage skews heavily negative, and constant exposure to it affects mood, sleep, and overall wellbeing
• Manipulation: People feel that powerful interests use the media to push political or economic agendas rather than serving the public interest
• Time waste: 24-hour news cycles repeat the same stories endlessly, and much of what's "breaking" isn't genuinely important
• Click-driven journalism: Headlines are engineered to provoke clicks, not to inform. The gap between what the headline promises and what the article delivers keeps growing

What People Do Instead

Quitting traditional news doesn't mean quitting information. Here's what works for people who've made the switch:

1. Curated email digests

Instead of browsing news sites or watching TV bulletins, many people now rely on email digests that summarise the day's most important stories. The appeal is simple: you get what you need in 5 minutes, then close your inbox and get on with your day. BriefMyNews takes this further by letting you choose specific topics and sources, so every digest is tailored to what you actually care about.

2. Weekly podcasts

A single well-produced weekly podcast can cover more ground, with more depth and context, than a week of headline-hopping. Shows like The Rest is Politics, The Intelligence, and Today in Focus are popular choices.

3. Independent journalists on Substack

The rise of platforms like Substack has created a thriving ecosystem of independent journalism. Writers like Heather Cox Richardson (2.6 million subscribers) now rival the readership of major newspapers. Readers choose these voices because they feel more authentic, less corporate, and more aligned with their interests.

4. Long-form magazines and deep reads

Some people have shifted entirely to slow journalism: quarterly magazines like Delayed Gratification that revisit stories after the initial frenzy has passed, providing final analysis rather than first-draft speculation.

How to Make the Transition

If you're thinking about reducing your news consumption, here's a gradual approach:

1. Delete news apps from your phone. If you need news, you'll seek it out intentionally.
2. Unfollow news accounts on social media. Your timeline isn't a news source; it's an outrage amplifier.
3. Subscribe to one high-quality digest service that covers your interests.
4. Set a daily time limit. 10 minutes of focused reading beats 2 hours of passive scrolling.
5. Replace the habit. Use the time you save for something that genuinely improves your day.

Staying Informed Matters, But So Does Your Wellbeing

The goal isn't ignorance. It's intentionality. You can know what's happening in the world without being battered by it. The tools exist to make this work. BriefMyNews was built specifically for people who want to stay informed on their own terms, without the noise, bias, and manipulation that come with traditional news consumption.