People are switching off the news. Research by Oxford University's Reuters Institute found that four in 10 (39%) sometimes or often actively avoid the news. This compares to 29% in 2017.

There was speculation that war in the Middle East and Ukraine may have contributed to the switch-off. Possibly so.

The general negativity of news - the only news is bad news - does little to attract followers. It can also be very bad for people's mental health.

Another reason for the switch-off, though, could be the general dumbing down of the news. The BBC provides a classic example. News sources slashed journalistic resources, resulting in cut-price reporting. 

Take the recent General Election. How often did we see a populist narrative like migration is bad and needs to be cut (Daily Mail line) taken onto the streets to do a tedious series of vox pops with "the public."?

In reality, this means searching around for the stereotypes that back up the original narrative.

Then, there is the domination of sport over the news agenda.

Paul Donovan says news has been dumbed downPaul Donovan says news has been dumbed down

The number of times a complete non-story about the European Championships football tournament has led the news bulletins, whilst more serious issues are moved off into the "other news" category.

So although the survey may suggest death and destruction puts people off, the utter trivialisation of news: whether broadcast, print or online no doubt also plays a part.

This all comes at a time when genuinely accurate, truthful news coverage is more important than ever.

People need to know what is going on, they need an authentic source to rely upon. 

There has been much talk of fake news over recent years, with the internet awash with it. It is predicted things will get worse with the growing role of Artificial Intelligence.

There is a worrying tendency for people to draw away from authentic news coverage into their own social media bubbles. There, they share views with those of similar mindsets - things go unchallenged. 

It is no coincidence that as these tendencies have developed, so too have the number of conspiracy theories. 

So whatever the tendencies, the time now is to invest in serious news coverage at all levels of the media industry.

Authentic coverage of what is going on in the world is more important than ever, especially with so much competition around.

If the investment is provided, then imaginative ways can be found to attract people to read or view. What is more, as time goes by there is likely to be a growing demand for such media.

  • Paul Donovan is Labour councillor for Wanstead Village ward, Redbridge Council and a blogger (paulfdonovan.blogspot.com).