Has Brexit made you stop watching the news?

Snow Garden · 15-10-2019 11:34pm #1

Brexit bores me to tears. It just seems like a complete waste of energy over the last 2 years.

I used to watch a lot of news programs and listen to a lot of talk radio but about a year ago I started reducing my news exposure. I hardly ever watch the news now unless it's for sport or weather. Thankfully I only have the Irish channels so I don't see any Sky nonsense. I reckon I am a much happier person by not watching or listening to so much news. I listen to a lot more music now or specific podcasts.

Has Brexit made you stop watching the news or change your habits in any way?

Quantum Erasure · 15-10-2019 11:37pm

It's made me stop NOT watching the news!

cryptocurrency · 15-10-2019 11:39pm

People who support the EU never liked any form of news beside mass produced group think.

Quantum Erasure · 15-10-2019 11:48pm

cryptocurrency wrote: »

People who support the EU never liked any form of news beside mass produced group think.

No u

ancapailldorcha · 16-10-2019 10:22am

Nope. I consume much more news and analysis now because of Brexit. I don't know how people can be uninterested in such a historic event. Fatigued, sure but uninterested?

Sonny noggs · 16-10-2019 10:27am

I don't know what a backstop is?

is_that_so · 16-10-2019 10:29am

More inclined to listen to podcasts for more details. News reports for me are just a quick summary.

HBC08 · 16-10-2019 10:32am

I never watch soaps on anything regularly on tv
Brexit , especially in the last 6 months or so has changed all that.
It hasn't been like this since Home And Away was unmissable in the early 90s

Salary Negotiator · 16-10-2019 10:34am

As above, I'm consuming more news that before because of Brexit.

16-10-2019 11:17am

Less news? Nah, way more.

BailMeOut · 16-10-2019 1:32pm

I will miss Brexit news. Its the best and most interesting thing on TV.

Boggles · 16-10-2019 1:52pm

What's Brexit?

Damien360 · 16-10-2019 1:57pm

Yes. And the radio. I would have switched between Radio1 and TodayFM for news but I have completely switched to podcasts and avoid all radio and now tailor my content. Brexit has made me very cynical of anything the Brits promise so I now don’t bother listening to their side of the story at all.

joe40 · 16-10-2019 2:06pm

Damien360 wrote: »

Yes. And the radio. I would have switched between Radio1 and TodayFM for news but I have completely switched to podcasts and avoid all radio and now tailor my content. Brexit has made me very cynical of anything the Brits promise so I now don’t bother listening to their side of the story at all.

Is it not a problem though, that if all your news is "tailored" for your interests you will not get a spread of opinions.

Duane Dibbley · 16-10-2019 2:12pm

Ive worked from home for years and before Brexit I would normally just have the TV off.

Since Article 50 was triggered, Ive sky news on in the background on the TV and the guardian newspaper open in my browser to check the latest news on many topics.

So I would say Brexit has got me more interested in current affairs.

keano_afc · 16-10-2019 3:14pm

"Turn on RTE, I want the news"

"Well you can do one or the other".

Tell me how · 16-10-2019 3:20pm

keano_afc wrote: »

"Turn on RTE, I want the news"

"Well you can do one or the other".

If there was an award for Brexit coverage and leading with breaking news of key events, Tony Connelly would likely walk away with first prize.

There was a day earlier in the year where Chris Mason of the BBC was standing outside Westminster shrugging his shoulders, telling the program host, 'I haven't the foggiest idea what is going to happen next' while simultaneously, Tony Connelly was breaking a story of what the plan was.

topper75 · 16-10-2019 5:38pm

Sonny noggs wrote: »

I don't know what a backstop is?

That is OK. It is now irrelevant to Brexit anyway.

victor8600 · 16-10-2019 5:41pm

No, the news made me stop watching telly altogether long time ago. I know about Brexit through internet memes and threads on Boards.ie.

pinkyeye · 16-10-2019 6:24pm

Yes, completely. I am interested in it but it's going on sooooooo long it's boring the tits off me.

I really really want them to leave on the 31st, another extension would just be a joke.

It's also burying some really important news stories.

Snow Garden · 16-10-2019 6:36pm

Duane Dibbley wrote: »

Ive worked from home for years and before Brexit I would normally just have the TV off.

Since Article 50 was triggered, Ive sky news on in the background on the TV and the guardian newspaper open in my browser to check the latest news on many topics.

So I would say Brexit has got me more interested in current affairs.

Do ye not find the narrative insanely repetitive over the past 2 years??

TheValeyard · 16-10-2019 6:54pm

Brexit is the best TV show out there. I cant wait to see how this season ends!! Real plot twist that the comic relief guy a few seasons ago is now the bad guy!

Snow Garden · 16-10-2019 6:59pm

I think it might turn out like the Y2K bug where they warned us that even toasters would stop working. Much ado about nothing.

Gods Gift · 16-10-2019 7:03pm

TheValeyard wrote: »

Brexit is the best TV show out there. I cant wait to see how this season ends!! Real plot twist that the comic relief guy a few seasons ago is now the bad guy!

But now enough nudity.

Plumbthedepths · 16-10-2019 7:06pm

Bored beyond belief with Brexit but I do feel sorry for our politicians, looks like it may be sorted so attention may turn back to their incompetence. What a wonderful distraction Brexit was for them since 2016.

pinkyeye · 16-10-2019 7:21pm

Plumbthedepths wrote: »

Bored beyond belief with Brexit but I do sorry for our politicians, looks like it may be sorted so attention may turn back to their incompetence. What a wonderful distraction Brexit was for them since 2016.

And a wonderful excuse for everything. This budget left every single one of worse off and not a word was said because eh "Brexit".

Snow Garden · 17-10-2019 10:04pm

Jaysus its on every channel!

CinemaGuy45 · 17-10-2019 10:15pm

Snow Garden wrote: »

Jaysus its on every channel!

Give the Disney Channel a try it admits it is a Mickey Mouse channel unlike all the others.

ChikiChiki · 17-10-2019 10:34pm

Plumbthedepths wrote: »

Bored beyond belief with Brexit but I do feel sorry for our politicians, looks like it may be sorted so attention may turn back to their incompetence. What a wonderful distraction Brexit was for them since 2016.

Was thinking that myself. Varadker and Coveney come out of Brexit looking like 2 of the most competent Statesmen in Europe and even the world.

I walked through the City Centre this evening doing some late night shopping and the problems are very real. Came across a fair few soup kitchens, plenty of homeless and drug addicts.

The domestic problems are very big for such a small country. It's should be completely manageable. FG have been apalling on this front, complicit by their inaction.

u140acro3xs7dm · 18-10-2019 1:13am

To me it's a catch-22, don't watch it, and you're uninformed, watch it, and you're misinformed.

um7y1h83ge06nx · 18-10-2019 8:00am

For me the water charges discussions first started to turn me off Irish news and it was the homeless that broke the camel's back and led me to avoid Irish news and Irish newspapers. I actually like the Brexit discussions by comparison.

Used to listen to Morning Ireland and Drivetime during my commutes, now it's podcasts.

Honestly my mental health feels much better for it.

Wanderer78 · 18-10-2019 8:03am

Julien Drab Rabble wrote:

Honestly my mental health feels much better for it.

Its understandable you d react so, the news can be very depressing at times, but I do think it's important to stay connected to our reality, podcasts can be fun and entertaining though, and that's important in life

um7y1h83ge06nx · 18-10-2019 8:12am

True enough. The funny that is that I love reading the books of historian Antony Beevor, that give absolutely horrendous accounts of world events like the siege of Stalingrad, the downfall of Berlin etc.

I just think as a generalisation Irish people love complaining and exaggerating the negative aspects of our country. That's the bit that annoys me more than anything.

I still keep up to date with international news though.

daheff · 18-10-2019 8:15am

I watch the news more now. It’s like the best reality tv at the moment...so many unexpected twists and turns. All the main characters have a back story better than an X Factor contestant

And it’s pretty much 24-7 too

Sure what else would you be watching?

tigger123 · 18-10-2019 11:12am

I'm addicted to it. I came home from the pub early last night to watch Newsnight while half cut. Deadly serious!

biko · 18-10-2019 12:14pm

People are FINALLY discussing real issues down the pub rather than soccer teams winning/losing
For friends of mine it has opened their eyes to real world politics.
We agree on some stuff and disagree on other stuff, but at least we're not just talking Liverpool vs Man Utd

_Kaiser_ · 18-10-2019 12:32pm

I've kept track of the high-level events of Brexit. I also get the IT/Indo notifications through their mobile apps and even Boards.ie can be an informative source of news so I'm pretty aware of current events and politics generally.

Brexit I've only been skimming to a large extent of it because I fully expected a deal would be done to avoid a hard Brexit... and it has.

The lack of consideration about WHY people voted Leave beyond "they were lied to/stupid/racist" type reasoning is a concern. The EU has a lot of problems that are being ignored and this is why events like this happen. I doubt the UK will be the last TBH.

nkl12xtw5goz70 · 18-10-2019 12:35pm

I now hear people who wouldn't previously have had any interest in politics or current affairs debating the finer points of Brexit. In that respect, it's a good thing if it increases engagement with the political system. In particular, younger people are figuring out that being informed and exercising your vote does matter. Only 64 percent of people aged 18 to 34 bothered to vote in the 2016 referendum—and now the future of their country is being reshaped because of the outcome.

AustinLostin · 18-10-2019 12:43pm

I still watched the news - but I can't watch/read/listen to debate or opinion anymore. There's too much of it out there - and I prefer to just listen to facts. Even opinion pieces/programmes that hugely aligned with my own views - still can't stand them. I also can't listen to radio anymore, as it now seems like just inane pointless conversation, whether its a serious debate or just some weird fluff debate. I can't attribute it entirely to Brexit but I think discourse around Brexit online, and in print definitely contributed to my attitude.

Marcos · 18-10-2019 12:49pm

The bad news is that once a deal goes through, it's only the start of things. Or as Churchill put it, the end of the beginning. You'll be hearing more about the actual details and negotiations for different things for ages. Countries are so enmeshed in the EU that teasing out the different agreements and protocols could will take years.

AndyBoBandy · 18-10-2019 1:06pm

Plumbthedepths wrote: »

I do feel sorry for our politicians, looks like it may be sorted so attention may turn back to their incompetence. What a wonderful distraction Brexit was for them since 2016.

Yeah but didn't they play a fcuking blinder in fairness?

They said what they wanted to get for Ireland, stuck to it consistently, and got 98% to 100% of it.

Could you imagine if all this was going on while Bertie or Brian were at the wheel? They'd have taken their few pieces of silver long ago and probably screwed the country even further.

*Did anyone see Mairead McGuinness tearing strips out of some bafoon Brexit Party MEP on Primetime last night?
*then a few minutes later Simon Coveney pretty much hooped Miriam O'Callaghan for asking stupid questions.

Since Day 1 of Brexit, they have been clear, concise, and consistent in their tones.

Back to the OP;
Yes, i'm watching the news more than ever because of Brexit!

six:one - every day
Channel 4 news - most days
RTÉ news at 9pm - some evenings (big news days)
BBC news at 10pm - some evenings (big news days)

Snow Garden · 18-10-2019 1:35pm

I am all for people being in touch with current affairs but I think Brexit gets way more news focus and priority than it should. 2 years of Brexit hype - I think people will regret spending too much time consuming it all. Hopefully there wont be another extension.

nkl12xtw5goz70 · 18-10-2019 1:38pm

Snow Garden wrote: »

I am all for people being in touch with current affairs but I think Brexit gets way more news focus and priority than it should. 2 years of Brexit hype - I think people will regret spending too much time consuming it all. Hopefully there wont be another extension.

Even if Johnson gets his vote through Parliament, that will be far from the end of the Brexit coverage.

Snow Garden · 18-10-2019 1:40pm

Melissa Dirty Bagpipe wrote: »

Even if Johnson gets his vote through Parliament, that will be far from the end of the Brexit coverage.

Yeah but once the civil servants take over the nitty gritty, people's interests will wane and the news stations will calm down.

Wanderer78 · 18-10-2019 1:41pm

Snow Garden wrote: »

Yeah but once the civil servants take over the nitty gritty, people's interests will wane and the news stations will calm down.

i dont think so, we ll be taking about this one forever

SJW Lover · 18-10-2019 1:42pm

Snow Garden wrote: »

Has Brexit made you stop watching the news or change your habits in any way?

No.

Plumbthedepths · 18-10-2019 5:35pm

AndyBoBandy wrote: »

Yeah but didn't they play a fcuking blinder in fairness?

They said what they wanted to get for Ireland, stuck to it consistently, and got 98% to 100% of it.

Could you imagine if all this was going on while Bertie or Brian were at the wheel? They'd have taken their few pieces of silver long ago and probably screwed the country even further.

*Did anyone see Mairead McGuinness tearing strips out of some bafoon Brexit Party MEP on Primetime last night?
*then a few minutes later Simon Coveney pretty much hooped Miriam O'Callaghan for asking stupid questions.

Since Day 1 of Brexit, they have been clear, concise, and consistent in their tones.

Back to the OP;
Yes, i'm watching the news more than ever because of Brexit!

six:one - every day
Channel 4 news - most days
RTÉ news at 9pm - some evenings (big news days)
BBC news at 10pm - some evenings (big news days)

Not that it will be acknowledged but the last 3 years has seen the Dail united in the approach to Brexit which greatly helped in any dealings the government had. Plus a promise by the main opposition party to support the government was a factor too. So tbh all the politicians as you put it played a 'blinder' . Hopefully they will put the same energy into addressing homelessness and health here.

Tell me how · 18-10-2019 5:39pm

Plumbthedepths wrote: »

Not that it will be acknowledged but the last 3 years has seen the Dail united in the approach to Brexit which greatly helped in any dealings the government had. Plus a promise by the main opposition party to support the government was a factor too. So tbh all the politicians as you put it played a 'blinder' . Hopefully they will put the same energy into addressing homelessness and health here.

That's very important.
We should demand the same level of effort, sensibility and pragmatism in our national government because we have seen they are capable of it.
I'm not overly positive but I do hope.

Spencerfreeman · 18-10-2019 5:48pm

Julien Drab Rabble wrote: »

For me the water charges discussions first started to turn me off Irish news and it was the homeless that broke the camel's back and led me to avoid Irish news and Irish newspapers. I actually like the Brexit discussions by comparison.

Used to listen to Morning Ireland and Drivetime during my commutes, now it's podcasts.

Honestly my mental health feels much better for it.

I feel the same, all the mainstream channels are now agenda driven, maybe they always were and I didn't notice.
It's much healthier to get your info from varied sources.

Wanderer78 · 18-10-2019 6:02pm

Spencerfreeman wrote:

I feel the same, all the mainstream channels are now agenda driven, maybe they always were and I didn't notice. It's much healthier to get your info from varied sources.

I think you ll find all sources are agenda driven

Spencerfreeman · 18-10-2019 6:06pm

Wanderer78 wrote: »

I think you ll find all sources are agenda driven

Indeed, but by having more varied sources you will get a variety of agendas allowing you a more balanced view.

Has Brexit made you stop watching the news?

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