College students should keep up with the news on a consistent basis if they want to stay up to date with current events.
According to American Press Institute, 74% of Generation Z get daily news from social media, whereas 39% get news from traditional sources such as newspapers and TV stations.
While the news may seem boring, depressing or antiquated, following it can help you stay up to date on what is happening in the world.
Digital Media Professor Carey Martin highlighted the importance of following the news.
“I absolutely recommend that students stay up to date with current events … Quite often, current events affect students in ways that they don’t even realize,” Martin said.
News stations often discuss the economic state of the country, which could impact financial decisions students make.
“Students should care about current events … because that can hit you right where it matters, in the pocketbook,” Martin said.
Martin explained how rising property taxes increase rent, which directly affects students who live off campus. Following news about the economy may not be fun, but it is important.
Political news is important to pay attention to as well. Taking the time to follow stories can provide information about new candidates running for local office and the changes they plan to make.
For example, a candidate’s vision for housing development may affect the local environment or traffic.
A recent Reuters Institute report found that only a third of 18-24-year olds are interested in news, especially political news. In addition, 42% of the same age group admitted to avoiding news because it is depressing or irrelevant.
If Gen Z is going to make a positive impact in the world, it needs to first be aware of what is currently happening. As Christians, we are called to be a light in the dark world. Yes, the news is full of natural disasters, shootings and wars. However, we have hope in Christ, and Matthew 5 calls us to share that hope with the world, not to hide it.
Martin said his faith shapes his perspective on the news.
“Obviously, my faith gives me hope in a future. It’s a cliché, but it’s a true cliché. I’ve read the book and I know how it ends. It also gives me more of a perspective of possibly sometimes what action I can take in relation to national news,” Martin said.
Tips for consuming news well:
As a college student, there are plenty of ways to become a good news consumer. That way when it comes to election time, you are prepared and informed.
- Verify before you share
Before you repost what you see online, verify the facts through reputable news organizations. Misinformation is a real threat in today’s culture.
- Diversify your news sources
Do not rely solely on Instagram and TikTok or the one news source you continuously find yourself going back to, such as Fox News. To gain a broader understanding of what is happening in the world, it is important to be informed read from several news sources.
- Separate facts from opinions
Just because you believe something, doesn’t mean it is true. Look at several sources to help you better determine objective facts. Go to God’s Word and measure what you learn against the absolute truth.
- Check the original source
Verify that the information you are getting hasn’t been edited falsely and republished. Looking for background on the writers and when the story was published are two ways you can double-check that a source is credible.
- Recognize bias
Pay attention to obviously loaded language and sensational word choice. Ask yourself if the article is informing you about an issue or purposefully provoking your emotions through the way that the content is presented.
- Stay curious and be willing to learn
Don’t presume you are always right and that nothing is subject to change. Approach the news with curiosity and a willingness to learn.
- Follow Champion News Brief for more!
Join the Champion on its new weekly podcast, the Champion News Brief. We will discuss news stories each week in order to help students understand the importance major news events, why the events are relevant to them and how to understand each story through a Christian lens.
Fogal is a POV reporter for The Liberty Champion.