The first time I remember seeing a “breaking news” banner was around the time that Ronald Reagan was shot. Breaking News was reserved for the type of news that truly impacted a great deal of people and that needed to be communicated quickly. The bright red banner got the attention of the viewer and told us that this was an important announcement. Breaking News in 2019 can include a tweet by the President, a sports figure achieving a new feat, or a celebrity getting married.

My current news viewing habits consist of an hour of local news in the morning to understand the weather and traffic concerns, as well as about fifteen minutes of Good Morning America to hear the headlines. For everyday political news I rely on Beth Silvers and Sarah Stewart Holland from the Pantsuit Politics podcast. They have been on a promotional tour for their new book “I Think You’re Wrong, But I’m Listening” and have appeared on several national shows.

This morning, they were part of a conversation on MSNBC’s The Morning Joe. I recorded the show to allow me to just watch their portion. I had to fast forward on my DVR to their segment and was startled to feel a visceral reaction to the imagery used on The Morning Joe. The color choices and bold fonts made me feel attacked in the same way that Fox News does when I am exposed to it at the gym and doctors offices.

I believe in the power of journalism and support organizations that are truly striving to communicate the news of the day. However, the cable news shows are possibly doing more harm than good. The message is not the issue as much as the delivery of the message. I hope to continue to limit my news consumption as a method of self care. I am not covering my head and denying the reality of the day. Instead, I am carefully selecting a safe means for learning about the events of our society.