This summer, are we switching off the news?
Since 2015, over 80,000 people have participated in our Core Research Cultural Index, measuring the engagement with over 1,500 news stories. Every month, we ask people what stories they were aware of, and of those stories which they are familiar with, how important they were in their lives.
In May 2023, as we move into the traditionally more quiet summer season, the public were less engaged with the news stories we tested. Across the seven years of this study, the average engagement level (ie the Cultural Index) has been 44. This means that the average news story is viewed by 44% of the population as significant in their life.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was the most significant story since 2015, measuring 88 in February 2022, while one of the lowest scores was when Kanye West released his album ‘The Life of Pablo’ in 2016, with only 9% of people saying it was of significance.
Are people taking an early Summer Switch off?
May’s Cultural Index results may suggest that after a long stressful period, from COVID-19 to Cost-of-Living, the Irish public are taking a break from the news headlines. These results come at the same time when the 2023 Reuter’s Digital News report highlights how 34% of adults say they sometimes or often avoid news, with a higher proportion of women (40%) and those aged 25-34 years old (38%) choosing to ignore the news.
What was notable in this month’s report was the number one story - that the World Health Organisation declares they no longer consider COVID-19 to be a global emergency. 72% of the population were aware of this announcement, and of this, 77% said it was important, producing an Index score of 55.9.
But this global story was the only news event in May which the majority (over 50%) of people were aware of.
TOP 20 STORIES OF MAY 23
WHO declares it no longer considers COVID-19 to be a global emergency.
Meta announce further redundancies of 500 employees in Ireland.
Katie Taylor looses first professional fight in Dublin.
ECB raise interest rates by .25
Level of unemployment reaches lowest level in 20 years
Rents rise 1% in first three months of 2023.
King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla are coronated.
Zelensky attends G7 meeting in Japan.
Phillip Schofield unexpectedly quits ITV’s 'This Morning' show.
Liverpool hosts Eurovision, on behalf of Ukraine.
Patrick Keilty is the new Late Late show host.
A jury finds that Ed Sheeran's "Thinking Out Loud" did not infringe on the copyright of Marvin Gaye's song "Let's Get it On."
Manchester City win their third consecutive Premier League title.
Munster win United Rugby Championship.
World’s first law on health labelling (calorie content and grams) of alcohol introduced in Ireland.
La Rochelle win the Rugby Champions Cup.
State watchdog (CPCC) advises against price controls.
Fine Gael junior ministers call for a full-time worker on an income of €52,000 to get €1,000 back in tax relief in the next budget.
Italian F1 Grand Prix cancelled due to heavy floods.
Finale of Succession is released.
More people believed Meta’s job layoffs were more significant than Katie Taylor losing her fight in Dublin, but less people were aware that the European Central Bank had raised interest rates by 0.25 - increasing the cost-of-living for many households.
Only one in three people believed Kielty’s appoint to the Late Late chair was significant, and it was viewed less significant than King Charles Coronation! 83% of people were aware of Phillip Schofield quitting ITV, nearly three times as many people who were aware of Fine Gael’s suggestion that income earners above €52,000 should get tax relief.
Source: Core Research, 1,000 adults representative of Irish population.
Q: In the last 4 weeks which of the following have you heard anything about from friends/family, or in the wider media?
Q: How important or not are each of these things to you personally which you've heard something about in the past 4 weeks?
There have already been significant news headlines in June 2023, but with people enjoying the recent summer weather, we will see in next month’s report whether people are engaging with these stories, or switching off for a summer break.