“Information fatigue” is the expression highlighted by a study published Wednesday December 11 by the Jean-Jaurès Foundation, Arte and the Society and Consumption Observatory.
There current political sequence can illustrate this fatigue felt by the French: the Élysée announces that it will appoint a Prime Minister within 48 hours, the deadline has finally been exceeded, and during this time, editorial staff are on deck or in special broadcasts to embroidering on hypotheses… The French no longer want this way of doing things.
The study published on Wednesday shows that only a third of those questioned said they were interested in the political sequence which followed the dissolution. And we go below this third when it comes to saying that the information helped “ better understand the issues ” Or “ to see things from different points of view “. It is rather the feeling of an overflow, of repetition or of an incessant flow.
A month before the European elections, fewer than four in ten people said that the news helped them make a decision. In addition, current events are increasingly perceived emotionally. Whether for the assassination of Professor Bernardthe war in Ukraine, the conflict in Gaza and the riots after the death of Nahel, there are often almost half of French people who declare themselves anxious, stressed or angry. Hence fatigue which is felt by 54% of those questioned.
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The study also speaks of “an informational exodus”
The study speaks of “ disengagement » and “ reflux “, that is to say that we use fewer channels to get information – no more than three in general – and interest in the media has declined in two years. This is particularly true for news channels, “news-entertainment” programs and even for radio stations. And it is social networks that benefit from it. TikTok, Insta,
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Disengagement is also felt by less involvement in the news: we share less information, we discuss it less with those close to us and we feel less need to cross-reference our sources. Furthermore, information must find a place in the battle of online platforms to capture attention, and the media’s temptation is then to attract the eye – or the ear – rather than to inform. If we are a fan of scrollingthe fact of moving from one video to another, very strong among young people, we can have the feeling of being the toy of algorithms, of having our life stolen. The solution is then to deactivate your notifications and stay away from social networks, but also from the news. Ultimately, what emerges from this study is that the people interviewed aspire to a little less bulimia and a little more moderation.
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