It has recently come to my attention that some of you out there have never read a newspaper*. Never.
I sincerely hope these people either can’t read, aren’t older than 7 or were recently asked to submit their brains to science.
Because I honestly can’t fathom why you would never have occasion to pick up a newspaper and give it a little nibble. (And by nibble, I mean light reading. Some people are so literal.)
So if you’ve never read a newspaper, I’ll be praying for you.
But what disconcerts me just as much is those people who may have read the newspaper a few times but who intentionally don’t read it anymore. Not because they are lazy. Not because they are too busy. Not because they lost their glasses. (Although I encourage all of the above to make some time for current events, even if you must strain your eyes.)
They don’t read the newspaper or watch the news because it “depresses” them.
Here’s the deal about life: It’s full of bad news. It’s also full of lots of good, positive news. You can find it on page B17 of most papers and in the entire Lifestyle section. Also, in your journal.
Your front page, however, is most likely going to be reserved for bad news … usually the baddest of the day. And maybe a little bit of good news if it’s well-written and involves important people … because bad news is usually the most important kind. It usually affects the most lives, represents the most vital issues and honors the most innocent victims.
Yet when I worked as a reporter for a newspaper in Utah I was told the majority of readers there want a pretty picture on the front page of their newspaper rather than a photo of war or disaster or tragedy. Also, they want to read more stories about pets and less about politics.
And I just don’t get it.
(Even when you say your kids might see it because I believe it encourages open, honest conversation about life.)
What is so scary about bad news? Are you afraid that it will jump out and bite you? Are you afraid that by reading it, it will happen to you? Are you afraid that you might have to feel sad for someone?
Because my understanding is that bad news helps us be more aware, more alert and more vigilant. It helps us be more compassionate, more involved and more cultured. It teaches us about bad choices and their consequences. It teaches us about the world, its people and their sufferings.
Granted, there are times I’ve stopped reading a story because it was too disturbing, but I didn’t fault the writer for including graphic details. After all, don’t we want the truth? And don’t we do victims an injustice when we censor it?
Yes, I dream of a newspaper filled with good news because there is no more bad news to write about. But we all know that won’t be happening in the near future.
In the meantime, there will be bad news. And you’ll find it in your newspaper.
But, will you read it?
I hope so.
*Of course, newspapers are becoming obsolete, but that’s another story. If you get your news from online media, I don’t blame you. I do it, too.
