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Increasing use of social media for news risks overloading users’ mental well-being

  • The Young Reporter
  • By: AU YEUNG Jim、AO Wei Ying VinciEdited by: KONG Tsz Yuen
  • 2024-12-21

Conor James Walker, 22, a university student majoring in history and politics, gets his daily news from websites such as the BBC and Al Jazeera. He said the current amount of information online is detrimental to his mental health. “A lot of information online, and it doesn’t matter whether it’s true or not, is mostly quite depressing subjects,” said Walker. “Fear of war, disease, disasters, and how politics rarely has a good story that comes out of it, no matter what country you look at,” he said. “It can take quite a mental toll on any individual,” said Walker. Walker added that he is less likely to read social media news unless it appears on his social media feed. “There’s the thing with social media,” said Walker, “which is anything can be said by anyone, and it turns out there’s a good chance it may not be true.” According to a report from the UK Office of Communications (Ofcom), the country’s telecommunications watchdog, 82% of those aged 16-24 years relied on social media for news, while only 28% of those aged 55 years do so. The report added that of all Britons aged 16 or above, 52% now consider social media their primary news source, whereas 51% still watch news on television via main broadcasters. This means online media has overtaken television as the biggest source of news. The American Psychological Association describes that constant feed of negative news as “media saturation overload.” Online platforms, especially social media, have algorithms that feed users more of the same to drive views and engagement. Bryan Mclaughlin, an associate professor in the College of Media and Communication at Texas Tech University, said that social media access leads to people being constantly caught up on the news. “If you don't have social media, even …

Hong Kong Cricket Sixes is back after 7 years

  • 2024-11-07

The Hong Kong Sixes tournament organised by Hong Kong Cricket Club and Kowloon Cricket Club was held from Nov 1 to 3 at the Tin Kwong Road Recreation Ground. The tournament features 12 international teams including the Hong Kong team competing in a six-a-side, the fastest format in the sport.

Society

Lapsap Beach

  • By: Wisha LIMBU、Rajnandini PANDEYEdited by: Tsz Ying CHEUNG
  • 2023-05-02

Frequent tropical cyclones wash marine litter to the shores of Hong Kong. Hong Kong Clean Up, a local non-government organisation, helps to ease the aftermath of climate change by organising weekly collecting trash activities since 2000. 

Society

The Versailles Palace comes virtually to Hong Kong

  • By: Jemima BadajosEdited by: Mollie Hib
  • 2023-04-30

Open from 19th April to 9th July, the Hong Kong Heritage Museum opens a virtual exhibiton of the renowned French estate, as part of the 14th French May Arts Festival, a month long cultural exchange event.

Society

Art Basel Hong Kong 2023

  • By: Elif Lale AYHAN、Huen Tung LEIEdited by: Wisha LIMBU
  • 2023-04-03

Art Basel is back in Hong Kong this spring, featuring 177 galleries from Europe, North America, Latin America and Asia. This year, the return of Encounters has presented more large-scale projects.

Society

Exhibition commemorates the 20th anniversary of superstar Leslie Cheung’s death

  • By: Yee Ling TSANG、Wai Sum CHEUNGEdited by: Yu Yin WONG
  • 2023-04-02

More than 7,600 fans gathered at Hong Kong Heritage Museum to commemorate the 20th anniversary of legendary star Leslie Cheung’s death on Saturday, according to the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. Presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and hosted by Hong Kong Heritage Museum, the “Miss You Much Leslie Exhibition” showcases an extensive collection of Cheung’s mementoes. Three of Cheung’s close friends, Florence Chan, William Chang and Wing Shya are guest curators. Cheung’s partner, Daffy Tong, also shared his personal collection with the museum.  The event displays 61 exhibits, such as stage outfits, trophies, photos, videos and Vinyl records.  Visitors can redeem free posters using their tickets at the exhibition’s exit.   Cantopop icon Leslie Cheung passed away 20 years ago on 1 April 2003. In his career, Cheung won numerous awards, including RTHK Top 10 Gold Songs Awards, Jade Solid Gold Best Ten Music Awards and Hong Kong Film Awards. Cheung’s artistic films and pop songs are still widely admired and adored by many.  There are also other ongoing memorial events in the city, including “Reminiscing Leslie Cheung: 20th Anniversary Exhibition” at Hong Kong MTR Station, Timeless Leslie Encounter in Olympian City, and "Leslie Cheung MISS YOU MUCH LESLIE CONCERT" in Hong Kong Coliseum.  The “Miss You Much Leslie Exhibition” will remain publicly open until 9 October.

Society

Vegetarian Food Asia 2023

  • By: Yee Ling TSANG、Wai Sum CHEUNGEdited by: Yu Yin WONG
  • 2023-02-20

The three-day Vegetarian Food Asia 2023 runs on its biggest scale with more than 300 exhibit booths at the Hong Kong Exhibition and Convention Centre. The event resumes food sampling for the first time since the pandemic.

Society

The 25th Standard Chartered Marathon

  • By: Huen Tung LEI、Tsz Yau CHANEdited by: Ka Tung NG
  • 2023-02-15

The 25th Standard Chartered Marathon was held yesterday under humid and drizzly weather. The participants' quota reached 37,000, doubling the amount in 2021. 32 runners were sent to the hospital according to the Hospital Authority. Ethiopia came first in the man and women's race.

Hong Kong Press Freedom Index Drops to Record Low after introduction of National Security Law

  • 2021-05-03

The Hong Kong Press Freedom Index has hit a new low for the second year in a row, according to the new annual survey published by Hong Kong Journalists Association (HKJA) today . More than 96% of 367 journalists polled believed that press freedom in Hong Kong is worse than a year ago.They cited factors such as the enforcement of Hong Kong national security law, police search of the offices of  Next Media, police redefining “media representatives”and the prosecution of RTHK producer, Bao Choy.  The survey also included 1023 local residents. Of all the respondents, 85% said  that the Hong Kong government is suppressing press freedom.   The index for journalists plunged 4.1 to 32.1, compared with 36.2 in 2019, while the public one slightly increased from 41.9 to 42.6. Journalists aged between 30 and 49 years are especially pessimistic about press freedom, with the lowest index of 29.4.  Concern about criticising the Hong Kong government and the central government has risen, but the worry about physical threats has declined since the social unrest ceased in 2020.  Members of the public considered safety issues as a key factor when evaluating press freedom, while journalists took Hong Kong government, central government and self-censorship as the top three factors.  Chris Yeung, the chairperson of the HKJA said he is worried about the future of the Hong Kong press. “The worst is yet to come,” he said, “the power of the media as watchdogs is weakened.” “Something fundamental has changed…we are moving towards the system of the mainland where the media is part of the government structure.” Professor . Clement So from the Chinese University of Hong Kong suggested that journalists should hold their ethical value in facing difficulties.  “Upholding professional values is of utmost importance in times like this,” he said.