[d4nt]

News is an entertainment show. News editors edit actual events into an engaging narrative in the same way that reality TV shows edit the events that occur in their show's domain into a narrative. There is plenty of raw material to work with. On any given day there are wars, injustices, political in-fighting, dishonest or fraudulent behaviour, and amusing stories about dogs on skateboards (or whatever). They're just editing it together.

Those in positions of power are so good at manipulating the news agenda too. Everyone from the government to the British Royal Family to Beyoncé to ISIS are at it; essentially pitching stories to news editors in the hope they get picked up.

Personally, I try to avoid it. I find news uses fear and outrage too much as a way to keep you watching, and it engenders a sense of hopelessness. Come election time I do some research and vote accordingly, the rest of the time I avoid it.

[charlysisto]

no one lives in a cave here. It's close to impossible to keep away from the noise. After all sharing news is being part of the human community. You don't want to cut yourself from it.

However you don't want to get overwhelmed and there's a lot of sensationalist journalism out there that seeks to stimulate your reptilian brain. On the other hand theres' also good (aka rational/analytical) journalism that helps making a sane narrative out of it without getting you stuck in the rabbit hole.

Stay close to those whatever side of the political spectrum you find yourself and you'll save a lot of time.