Let “soft news” lead to hard conversations

Every fall, in my Principles of Journalism in Democracy course — which includes nearly 250 first-year students — I ask: Where do you get your news? Students think for a moment and then begin to jump in with the usual suspects: The New York Times, NPR, NBC, the Associated Press, etc.

Then I ask: Okay, be honest. Where do you really get your news?

That’s where the story emerges. The Athletic. Lifestyle podcasts. “Newsfluencers.” TikTok. YouTube. Instagram.

This is not surprising. The Digital News Report and Pew Research have shown for years that Gen Z’s news consumption is shifting from legacy news outlets to social media platforms, particularly short-form video, and they are increasingly avoiding the news.

But there’s another story to explore. Early in the semester, we discuss the role of lifestyle journalism in a democracy. We talk about the forms it takes, the types of outlets where it appears, and most importantly, the role it fulfills in a democratic society.

We look at journalism on health and fitness, movies, music, celebrities, travel, and sports. Students share examples of podcasts, YouTube accounts, magazines, and news websites where they seek this information. They describe wanting to become these types of journalists. And they discuss how lifestyle journalism helps them learn about their world and how to live better in it.

In a news environment facing substantial concerns about distrust, disconnection, and economic deficiencies, lifestyle (soft news, human-interest, service, cultural, etc.) journalism can be a vital — and practical — way forward.

Local journalists have already established that they view positive and uplifting news as core for their communities, particularly those who have long been underserved and stereotyped. And we know local journalists believe that just because an article is popular — a new restaurant is opening, a local resident is appearing on a reality show, a guide to the best burgers in town — does not mean it isn’t low-quality or important. Even more, it’s helpful.

Even long-maligned genres of journalism, such as celebrity reporting, can be central sites of political discourse. I’ve been working with two undergraduate students to examine how news outlets used celebrity endorsements in the 2024 presidential election to promote broader conversations about young-voter engagement, celebrity influence on politics, and the role of gender in elections.

With another undergraduate student, we are considering how TikTok trends — such as “Girl Dinner” — illuminate complex conversations about gender roles, body image, mental health, and other topics important to Gen Z — the most diverse generation in history and one increasingly dealing with anxieties about the future.

In my Gender and Media class, students discuss the state of journalism and their frustrations with norms that they feel stifle their ability to be themselves in their reporting. They recognize the value of fair, comprehensive coverage, but they also want to highlight their own voices and experiences. They want to call for change, when warranted. They want to challenge the sexist, racist, ableist, homophobic and other discourses that haunt mainstream journalism. And they want to reference pop culture, entertainment, and influencers to do it.

For students, lifestyle journalism — in all its forms — is important for its authenticity. It is relatable. It is real. It is subjective in a way that still feels reliable and credible. At times, it calls them to action. For outlets like the Black nonprofit community media platform Kansas City Defender, a blend of education, justice, business, technology, and arts and culture news results in an innovative and powerful platform that reaches tens of thousands of Gen Z and millennial readers across the Midwest.

And these trends are not new. Magazines and their digital incarnation, blogs, have long eschewed a neutral, distanced tone in favor of a memorable, distinctive voice. This value is equally evident in news outlets’ efforts to connect with audiences on TikTok, Instagram, and other platforms. Through breaking down dichotomies (hard versus soft, political versus personal, popular versus quality, objectivity versus advocacy), journalists can connect with audiences through the topics, people, and ideas where they already spend their time — and potentially build deep, lasting, and meaningful relationships in the process.