Because news enables people to feel all kinds of emotions, it essentially impacts their behaviour. This is because what they feel has a significant role to play in influencing how they act at any given time of day. For example, a negative or sad story in the news about homeless children and individuals might create a feeling of sympathy and, therefore, they will act concerned and maybe even make efforts to get involved themselves.

News content is created in a way that it drives a certain agenda. Although this method can be used to do good, it also has the ability to draw people away from the real facts. That is why there has been such a big spike in fake news as of late.

And, in most cases, misinformation has been used to influence politics, skew views and promote defamatory information, which, as a result, misleads the public. Misinformation can be exceptionally dangerous ammo if it is acted out upon. For example, brewed hate amongst people has seen to perpetuate xenophinc attacks in countries such as South Africa. It has cost people their homes, jobs and their safety.

With that said, here are three ways that news plays an influential role on human thinking and behaviour:

1. Positive news helps people to make well-informed decisions

Nothing brings people together like positive news! That’s because positivity has the power to unite and inspire individuals and the society at large.

According to psychology researcher Jodie Jackson, the consumption of negative news influenced certain students at the University of East London to have negative perceptions of people. In other scenarios, others expressed positive notions about people after having consumed positive news.

Additionally, in an article by the BBC, which focuses on mental implications brought by the consumption of negative news, it is said that negative news plays a role in the increase of post traumatic stress and anxiety, which could leave one feeling depressed.

Positive news, on the other hand, can benefit an individual or society’s welfare and influence them to make well-informed decisions that could make a positive and long-lasting difference in a community.

That doesn't mean that journalists should divert to reporting on heartwarming stories and forget about being objective. It is just very important to remember that writing positive news can also be fake news if you spin the story in a different direction. Remember to ensure that your happy story is true and that you have all the facts straight.

2. News helps to grow global awareness

Think about it: You only know what’s happening in the world because you heard or read about it in the news. This is because the news that is reported on television, the radio, the web and in the paper gives humans a greater understanding of the world around them.

It’s through global news that people learn about where serious issues took place and where they are informed of international affairs in general. News reports allow communities to receive regular updates on any occurrences that are of relevance to them.

For example, news reports allow people living across the globe (both inland and coastal) to understand the extent of the effect that plastic has on the environment and the harm it can cause to oceans and news creates awareness and educates people what they can do to prevent the pollution.

3. News helps societies to make important choices

“Knowledge is power, information is liberating and education the premise of progress in every society.”This is according to Kofi Annan. With this in mind, it’s clear that news plays an important role in informing society’s ability to make decisions.

For example, before elections, political figures and parties will campaign while the media cooperates to cover the campaigns. In doing so, debates from each party and candidates are shown dissecting their opponents' policies in different medium forms to convey that political opposition’s particular point. As an end result, this information is of great use to the public in helping them decide who to vote for.

It’s through knowledge that people master the democratic society that they reside in and that of other nations; it’s how they become aware of circumstances that require a turnaround.

For example, take the South African Road Agency’s funding dilemma, which is often reported on in news publications such as BusinessTech. The issue with the funding dilemma are reports stating that the road agency is unable to meet financing obligations, Moneyweb reports.

Sanral’s financial issues have arisen from a number of concerns that were brought up by the affordability for motorists, amongst a number of other things. While some drivers can afford to pay for the use of roads through company benefits and good household income and salary, many are struggling to pay the tariffs out of their own pocket.

Here is a clip below that shows a journalist dissecting the Sanral with Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse spokesperson, Wayne Duvenage:



It’s because of the news that we are aware of what's happening around us and how we react to our surroundings. But how else can news influence our way of thinking? Let us know in the comments section below.

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The current state of professional journalism is at the mercy of social media and fake news. If you’re feeling a little out of the loop as to why this is, check out The current state of journalism: A Q&A with Lerato Tshabalala.