Years ago, when the news came mainly through TV bulletins and print newspapers, journalism felt very different. Stories tended to get to the point quickly, with headlines that genuinely reflected what the article delivered.
But writing styles have changed in the age of social media and online advertising. Now, it’s common to see articles with vague, attention-grabbing headlines designed to make you click, only to bury the actual point deep in the piece. It is so frustrating and likely classed as click-bait.
How often do you see a headline like “The Future of This Huge Show Has Been Confirmed” — only to scroll through paragraph after paragraph of filler (and countless ads) before finally discovering which show and confirmation that is has been renewed for another season. Local news sites are especially guilty of this, even for serious stories where clarity should matter most.
Another trend is the rise of articles that pretend to offer urgent or expert advice with dramatic headlines telling everyone not to do something like mow the lawn on a certain day, or to keep windows closed etc. Articles that present basic common sense as if it’s breaking news and just pointless. The tone can feel patronising, treating the reader like they need constant reminders about obvious measures. A reminder of the nanny state we have become.
Even the big national news outlets can be just as guilty, relying on unnecessary drama. Take the recent football win, headlines like “England Get Revenge on Spain” are catchy but arguably overblown. Sure, there may be history between the teams, but is it really revenge? Or just sport?
It’s really a question of trust. Many articles twist the headline to imply something dramatic or scandalous, only to deliver something mundane. Think twice about believing what you read.
In the end, a headline should inform, not mislead or trick. It’s worth pausing before clicking on some articles and questioning whether the story really likely will advise what the headline claims. Certainly some news sources are more guilty than others.
