Policies from the Ministry of Imagination
In this series, we share some of the most compelling ideas from the Ministry of Imagination Manifesto – a compilation of audacious policies to improve the world, thought up by guests on the podcast What If to What Next, hosted by Rob Hopkins. In this first article, we begin with sharing an idea from Positive News chief executive, Sean Wood.
Policy idea #1: Put health warnings on media outlets dominated by bad news
Imagine. You heard the on-the-hour radio news bulletin while you got dressed that morning. You glanced at headlines on your phone on the way to work. You read the paper while you waited for your coffee in a cafe. Each encounter was, typically for the mainstream news, filled with death and doom – and accompanied by a familiar feeling. Of being slightly on-edge. Anxious.
But after each snippet, you also heard or read a warning: ‘Too much negative news may cause a distorted view of reality and harm your mental health.’ It was enough of a reminder to try to balance things out. So you sought out some constructive news that evening. A few hopeful headlines online as the kids had their bath, and later, an uplifting current affairs documentary. Things felt steadier. Calmer. More positive.
