In recent blog posts, we shared our view that the apparent decline of old/legacy media is unhelpful to society, and that the rise and nature of contemporary social media is beset with dangers to society. This post proposes that there can be solutions and alternatives within the grasp of individuals and groups of individuals, alongside whatever collective action and legal changes that might be made to the Wild West that is social media.
Fundamentally, the time has come for better, bolder media.
It would be naïve to expect the return of newspapers, magazines, TV and radio to their former glories of enjoying a massive following across society, of being the primary source of information for humans on a day-to-day basis. Much of that crown has passed to social media, which has added greater immediacy and, in some ways, put the ability to connect and to share information in the hands of individuals, largely unregulated.
However, free speech has shifted worryingly over towards free screech. An answer is better, more measured, positive news and media. Some of this is already here. Examples include Positive News magazine, the Smiley Movement, the Slow Journalism movement, titles such as ASBO magazine (a music and fashion magazine sparked by a charity helping young, often unemployed creatives), and the Bromley Buzz community podcast and multi-media platform, which we founded. Plus, also in London and with titles in other locations, The Londoner.
The Positive News e-newsletter of 21 June 2025 mentioned, “Sometimes the news makes the news. This week was one such occasion with the arrival of the Reuters Digital News Report, an annual assessment of online news consumption globally. The headline findings will make most editors uncomfortable: 40% of people are now avoiding the news, largely because it’s so overwhelmingly depressing and pervasive. Offering an alternative to the bad news bias of the 24/7 mainstream media is, of course, why we exist.”
It also talked about a hot topic that could be even hotter, “Research shows that 89% of people worldwide want governments to take stronger action on climate change, yet many hesitate to speak up, wrongly believing they are in the minority. Covering Climate Now (CCN), a global initiative dedicated to improving climate journalism, has launched The 89 Percent Project in an effort to challenge the misconception.
“Academics point to a mental barrier known as ‘pluralistic ignorance’ – the false belief that our own views are not widely held – as one reason people stay silent on the climate debate. “The lack of public discussion reinforces the norm that others are not concerned and hampers the likelihood of collective organisation,” wrote psychologist Cynthia Frantz, introducing a 2022 study on the topic.
“That’s where The 89 Percent Project comes in. News outlets backing the initiative include some of the biggest names in journalism. The Guardian, Time magazine, Reuters and Al Jazeera are just a few of the organisations on board.”
We will be doing our bit to share and encourage new, bold, positive media. Anti-social media has had its way for too long.
Darren Weale, Founder, In Tune PR
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