Michaela’s Muses: Why its important to report good and bad news

We all love to see good news in the paper. For some, it’s news that it snowed or maybe a girl won some award. But what about the bad news?

I can appreciate a good feature just as much as the next journalist, but I think, like most things in life, we need balanced news.

Let me just say I would be worried if the news was good all the time.

They say ignorance is bliss, but sometimes I wonder what would happen if people knew what was going on in the world and in your own neighborhood. I understand that news can cause distress in some, but to me I feel stress if I don’t know what is going on.

That’s probably why I became a journalist — so I can know what is going on in my town.

I get tired of bad news sometimes, but I feel like without it, the good news doesn’t feel as good. Having bad news sort of bolsters hope that something good will happen, and when a good thing does happen, we get that positive release.

Take crime for example. I have heard people say crime is bad in Rio Rancho right now. But consider another angle …

The news that someone was arrested can be seen as a good thing because that means law enforcement is doing its job. I always ask if people would rather see perps getting arrested or see no arrests and worry that your neighbor could be a perp. I feel safer knowing something is being done about it.

I also think hearing bad news can motivate people to do something about a problem. You hear about a person needing money for cancer treatment, so you go and donate to their cause.

Highlighting issues in government is also a big part of it, though. The free press is here to keep government in check. News about what is going on in government both locally and nationally helps people learn what issues need attention.

I would argue that there is no such thing as good or bad news. Depending on your bias or perspective, which, believe me, everyone has, news can be either or.

It all depends on how you look at it. Are you a glass half full or glass half empty person? Or are you the person that says it’s just a glass with water in it?

I like to think I am that person, but, then again, that could be biased.