When evaluating online news, consider broccoli

In an interview titled “Ramen Noodles Theory of Online News is Still Food for Thought,” Professor Chyi highlights the flawed logic of modern-day news reporters by putting the issue into terms that everyone can understand: food.

She explains online news as an “inferior good,” and defines this term as something that people consume less when income goes up. In the flipped perspective, an inferior good is something people consume more when income goes down. While she cleverly cites ramen noodles as an example, I’d like to extend her metaphor to include another crowd favorite: sugar.

Sugar is a sweet-tasting carbohydrate comprised of glucose and sucrose, but more importantly, it is addictive and offers little nutritional value (aside from the natural sugar found in fruit). THIS STUDY shows that excessive internet use can result in a similar type of addiction. Some term this addiction as Internet Addiction Disorder (IAD) or Compulsive Internet Use (CIU), and research shows that it can cause mental distress and clinical impairment. In the article titled “Reality Check: The performance gap between US Newspapers print and online products,” Dr. Chyi clarifies that contrary to popular belief and word of mouth, newspapers are not dying. In fact, their readers and accessibility surpass that of digital news sources. Why is this misconception perpetuated, and what does this have to do with sugar?

                I think that news reporters erroneously believe in the popularity of digital news because when you consider the prevalence of internet addiction, how could digital news NOT be more popular? One would think that if people spend so much time on the internet, then of course they value and read online news. However, similar to sugar, just because internet use is easy and convenient does not mean it is higher quality, or more nutritious. Despite the temptation of online news, readers have found that the “broccoli” of news sources – the newspaper – is redeeming in its own right. Similar to organic food, print news is more expensive and not as easy to obtain. However, it is also more substantive and provides a more emotionally-impactful experience. Where sugar (the internet) triggers the chemical release of the dopamine and creates a temporary sensation of pleasure, broccoli (print news) contains fiber that enables users to remain fuller and more satisfied for longer.  

                While a bushy stock of broccoli may not be as outwardly tempting as a cookie or chocolate cake, the positive effects of consuming it are last far longer. How does one opt for the better nutritional choice? In simple terms, read the label, and you will find that contrary to sugar's appeal, health experts recommend broccoli because it is the healthier chocie. In the news world, Chyi urges readers to “rely on audience research as opposed to wishful thinking or guess work.” By relying on research and reading the labels of news sources, print news – or broccoli – will win every time.