A villager’s clarity reminds us that true knowledge comes not from consuming more news, but from choosing the right kind”
By Subhash Dhuliya
In an era of nonstop news and digital overload, information is everywhere—but understanding is rare. A chance conversation with a villager reveals a quiet wisdom about how to stay truly informed amid the noise of modern media.
Some years ago, during a journey through the countryside, I met a villager whose knowledge left me deeply impressed. What began as a casual conversation about crops and weather soon turned into a discussion on global issues — from international politics and climate change to India’s economy. His clarity of thought was remarkable.
Curious, I asked where he got his information. His answer was simple yet profound:
“I listen to All India Radio and the BBC.”
That exchange often comes to mind when I sit before my television each evening, switching between dozens of news channels. Strangely, despite this abundance of choice, I often finish the day unsure about what has actually happened in the world. Instead of clear, factual updates, I find noisy debates, partisan shouting matches, and endless sensationalism.
The contrast is striking. A villager with access to only two radio broadcasts stays genuinely informed, while an urban viewer — surrounded by 24-hour channels, apps, and social media — often ends up confused and fatigued. The more information we have, the less understanding we seem to gain.
Where in News?
This encounter forced me to reflect deeply on my own relationship with information and the overwhelming noise of modern media.
Living in a city with access to endless news channels, social media feeds, and online platforms, I am bombarded with information daily. Yet, I often struggle to pinpoint the day’s most significant events. My evenings, like those of many, are spent flipping through 24/7 news channels, only to be met with sensational talk shows, partisan shouting matches, and trivial stories masquerading as journalism.
The core mission of news—to inform—has been drowned out by a race for ratings. The irony is stark: with a world of information at my fingertips, I feel less informed than a villager relying on two radio broadcasts. The villager’s approach is a lesson in clarity. AIR and the BBC, while not without their own lenses, prioritize factual reporting and a broad overview of events. They offer signal over noise, substance over spectacle. His curated media diet avoids the chaos of clickbait headlines and polarized panels that dominate television and online platforms.
In an age of information overload, his discipThere was a time when journalism stood for accuracy, depth, and public service. Radio bulletins and print reports offered carefully verified news and reasoned analysis. Journalists saw themselves as interpreters of events, not performers.
This shift from reporting to performing reflects a larger crisis: a society overwhelmed by data but deprived of meaning. Algorithms and trending hashtags amplify outrage, while essential stories are buried under noise. The result is not enlightenment but exhaustion.
The Wisdom of Restraint
The villager’s simple media habit reveals a powerful truth — that clarity often comes from restraint. He listens selectively, to credible sources that emphasize facts and global context. His world is not cluttered by constant updates or social media feeds.
All India Radio and the BBC, while not flawless, still uphold basic principles of journalism — accuracy, perspective, and balance. Their slower, more deliberate style fosters comprehension rather than confusion. In contrast, our screens overflow with information fragments that rarely add up to real understanding.
His choice is not ignorance; it is discernment. In limiting what he consumes, he gains more of what matters. In the modern world, where attention is constantly divided, such discipline is rare — and wise.
Learning to Listen Again
The paradox of our time is that while information is infinite, genuine understanding is scarce. We are more connected than ever, yet often less informed. The challenge is no longer access to news, but the ability to separate truth from noise.
To do that, we need to reclaim our sense of judgment as media consumers. The responsibility does not lie with journalists alone. Every viewer, reader, or listener shapes the media landscape through their choices. When we reward sensationalism with our attention, we encourage more of it. When we choose credible, balanced reporting, we strengthen meaningful journalism.
Choosing the Signal Over the Noise
That villager’s quiet habit carries a timeless lesson. Being informed is not about consuming more news — it is about consuming the right news. In a world of instant alerts and viral content, wisdom lies in slowing down, listening carefully, and reflecting deeply.
The paradox of information abundance reminds us that true knowledge comes not from the volume of what we hear, but from the clarity of what we understand.
Sometimes, the clearest signal still comes from a simple radio.
Author: Prof. Subhash Dhuliya is a media educator and founder of Newswriters.in, an independent knowledge and training platform dedicated to strengthening journalism and communication education. Developed with editorial assistance from ChatGPT (GPT-5).
Photo: Cemrecan Yurtman. Unsplash
