Ask HN: Why is the media so negative?

[TenJack]

Every time I watch the news theres something negative, some kidnapping, murder, or death. Why is the media so negative and bent on instilling fear?

[mooism2]

People are risk averse and therefore think it more important to be informed about bad things that are happening and could happen to them?

[ajude]

As a former journalist these two quotes sum things up: 1)'tell me something positive i'll write you a paragraph' 2)'tell me something negative and i'll write you a page'

[ilkhd2]

It might be always positive like news in DPRK, but seriously, it does not matter positive or negative - as soon as they do not touch real issues (healthcare, fraud in courts etc.)