I was having chai with a friend who works at a news channel. I asked him: “How do you decide the top news in India today?”
He laughed. “It’s simple. Whatever gets the most clicks.”
That’s the truth. The “top news in india today” is not chosen by importance. It’s chosen by engagement. The algorithms measure what people click, and the editors follow.
So why do we see so much crime, political drama, and celebrity gossip? Because those are the things people click.
But is that what we need? Is that what’s good for society?
I don’t think so.
When the top news is full of outrage, we become outraged. When it’s full of fear, we become fearful. The news doesn’t just reflect reality; it shapes it. It tells us what to worry about, what to care about, what to talk about.
So what can we do?
We can choose not to click. We can choose to read stories that matter, even if they’re not at the top of the list. We can support outlets that do serious journalism.
I know it’s hard. The headlines are designed to pull you in. But you can resist.
Start by turning off notifications. Then, when you look at the top news, ask yourself: “Do I need to know this? Will this matter tomorrow? Next week?”
Most of the time, the answer is no.
And that’s okay. You’re not missing out. You’re choosing where to focus your attention. And your attention is your most precious resource.
I’ve started a practice: I look at the top news, but I don’t stop there. I scroll down to the stories that are not screaming for attention. I look for the ones with headlines like “Explained: New farm bill” or “Analysis: What the GDP numbers mean.” Those are the stories that actually inform.
Also, I’ve started following a few journalists whose judgment I trust. I don’t rely on algorithms. I go directly to their columns or their social media. I know they’ll tell me what matters, not just what’s popular.
If you want to be truly informed, you have to be intentional. The default feed will always give you noise. You have to curate your own sources.
So next time you see “top news in india today,” ask: who decided this was top? The algorithm? The editor? Or my own judgment? Then choose accordingly.