This is generally an unpopular opinion, but...I don't really think we need the news.

It's basically like being told that a comet is going to smash into the Earth within the year and scientists are working on it, but their chance for success is anywhere between 0% and 100%. That's cool and all, but I rarely feel like I can actively do anything as a result of being more informed. More information doesn't empower me to do anything at all. Thus, I have a hard time justifying the self-flagellation.

Personally, I read the news only. While I barely pay attention to videos anyway, when I do I feel like I don't have time to fact-check and otherwise do my due diligence. If I don't have to read interpretative commentary, then I won't. For example, if a news story cites a study or survey, I'll just go to the source. If someone is quoted, I'll go look for context around the quote.

That's how I exert control, anyway lol. It's mostly inconsequential, probably, but I also like to think that I'm not totally foolish.

RSS lists that include your local news is your best bet. Then you don't have an algorithm sending you the worse most stressful news, it's listed in the order of the datastamp it was posted.

If there's news you need to know your friends or coworkers will tell you.

I guess the literal answer is early in the morning when your serotonin is rising, and once or twice a week so you get the big stories without the obsessive retellings.

I have this issue too. I have a few people in my life who pay attention to the news, I just ask them to inform me when something big happens, or I ask for updates if it’s been a week or two. I check out those specific topics then move on. I realized it didn’t serve me to stay very informed, so I just want the bare minimum.

I go through phases. I was glued to the news at the start of the Israel-Hamas war, then it became too much and I had to back off. I’ll be back at it again at the height of the 2024 US election so I can make informed voting decisions, then I’m done again until the next major thing.

Simply read article headlines on Lemmy and jump to conclusions like a true gigachad ~~/s~~