BBC - 'Too much news is bad for you' Demand for information has growing in the aftermath of the World Trade Center attacks

Overdosing on news could cause damage to people's mental wellbeing, an American communications expert has warned.

Dale Brashers, professor of speech communication at the University of Illinois says people want more and more information because of the fears of further terrorist attacks following the September 11 tragedy.

He said: "This is a case in which information may simply cause greater anxiety, particularly if the information forecasts negative consequences or if it is contradictory or unclear."

But a British expert told BBC News Online it can be beneficial for people to find out more about something they are worried about because it helps them deal with their fears.

Professor Brashers, who wrote 'Communication and Uncertainty Management', published in the Journal of Communication, said it was "perfectly natural" to think gathering information would help reduce uncertainty.

But he added: "Sometimes people need to back away from the onslaught of information."

He said that could be difficult when people want to be vigilant about certain risks, such as the current fears over anthrax.

"This is an area in which the science seems to change from minute to minute," he said.

"So in addition to the uncertainty about the possibility of bioterrorist attacks, we now also have questions - and uncertainty - about expert advice."

'Listen to trusted sources'

Professor Brashers, an expert in 'uncertainty management' said people had to try to balance being vigilant with avoiding "obsessive information seeking".

He said: "People should listen to trusted sources, realise that media sources may be inaccurate because they are trying to disseminate information rapidly and - from time to time - verify information through health agencies."

Barrie Gunter, a British Psychological Society spokesman and professor of journalism studies at the University of Sheffield, said information about the current situation was being brought to people "quite legitimately".

He said people did often feel better if they knew more.: "If you're in a highly anxious atmosphere, you will seek information to help you.

"If you can understand more about the causes of a particular situation, it reduces the uncertainty.

"And if you reduce the uncertainty, you feel more in control - and if you feel more in control, you feel less anxious."

-- Anonymous, November 04, 2001

Answers

"Listen to trusted sources"

"If you can understand more about the causes of a particular situation, it reduces the uncertainty.

"And if you reduce the uncertainty, you feel more in control - and if you feel more in control, you feel less anxious."

Gee, I think we all have been saying alot of this for quite a few years now. Yes we all need to know when to walk away and take a break from the news, but if I am away from the news for more than a day I suffer withdrawal :)

-- Anonymous, November 04, 2001

Yup.

Knowledge is power.

-- Anonymous, November 04, 2001

I don't have any "Trusted Sources." The best I can do when I'm interested in a story is gather reports from several sources and sort of take the average of what was reported, factoring in the various biases. I also keep being reminded of Don Henley's song, "Dirty Laundry..."

"There's the bubble-headed bleach blond who comes on at five;

She can tell you about the plane crash with a gleam in her eye."

Fortunately, there's a lot better reporting available through other sources.

-- Anonymous, November 04, 2001

I don't watch TV news anymore. My mother the news junkie has told me that she is "very well informed" because she watches the Lehrer (sp?) news report on PBS every night. I haven't had the heart to tell her what I think of that claim, but I have hinted at it by telling her of important stories which that program has been oblivious of.

If one is going to spend time on the news, one should concentrate on important news reports and articles, and that's where I think this forum shines. Thank you, OG!

-- Anonymous, November 04, 2001

Have you thought about getting a computer for your mom and showing her how to access Lucianne? :)

-- Anonymous, November 04, 2001

I like Lucianne a lot, but my mother would shit bricks. Besides, she refuses to get a PC, even though my brother and I have been urging her and would pay for it ourselves.

-- Anonymous, November 04, 2001