Tadej Perčič

Constant exposure to crises: wars, climate disasters, political conflicts etc., can lead audiences, especially young people, to feel overwhelmed or emotionally numb. This phenomenon, often called news fatigue, has serious consequences: disengagement, avoidance of credible information, and reduced civic participation.

Journalists face a difficult challenge: how to communicate urgent global issues without pushing audiences toward despair. Ethical reporting requires sensitivity not only to the victims of crises, but also to the mental health of the public consuming the news.

Solutions-oriented journalism offers one approach. By highlighting responses, innovations, and examples of resilience, reporters can provide a fuller picture that empowers rather than paralyzes. Using accessible language, breaking down complex issues, and balancing negative stories with constructive insights also helps reduce overload.

Importantly, journalists must resist the pressure to dramatize or sensationalize crises to compete for attention online. Emotional manipulation may generate short-term clicks, but contributes to long-term exhaustion and disengagement. Young journalists, who often understand digital culture intuitively, can lead the way in reshaping how crisis reporting is approached - with empathy, balance, and care.