Scientific Consultation for a News Reception Experiment for the German TV Show Quarks

Roland Gimmler was involved in the German science TV show Quarks, in the epiode „Bad News: Sehen wir die Welt durch die falsche Brille?“ (translated as: Bad News: Do We See the World Through the Wrong Glasses?).

Thematically, the program focused on how different forms of news consumption affect individuals — particularly against the background that traditional news often predominantly conveys negative messages. It also explored what competent as well as individually appropriate and sustainable news consumption might look like.

To this end, three participants were accompanied over several weeks as part of an experiment. During this time, they either significantly reduced their news consumption, focused exclusively on positive news, or turned to constructive journalism. Constructive journalism differs from traditional news journalism, among other things, by refraining from alarmism, adopting a more multifaceted perspective on issues, and additionally presenting possible solutions.