Seeking Nuance in News Avoidance. Implications for individuals, journalism & society

Traditionally, news plays a vital role in democratic societies: it holds the powerful accountable and informs citizens, fostering engagement and social connection. Yet, an increasing number of people are avoiding the news. This dissertation explores why people avoid news, how news avoidance manifests, and what consequences it has for information levels, mental well-being, and civic engagement. Using a mixed-methods approach—combining qualitative and quantitative research—it examines news avoidance from an audience perspective within today’s digital information society. The dissertation provides a nuanced understanding of this growing phenomenon and discusses its implications for individuals, journalism, and society. By better understanding why people distance themselves from news, we gain deeper insight into what this means for the role of news media in a digital information society.

This PhD is funded by the HU university of Applied Sciences