A more focused approach to the news

For Austrian newspaper DER STANDARD I created a hypothetic case study

Established media companies such as DER STANDARD are currently facing a mountain of challenges: a profound loss of trust and credibility, as digital platforms promote disinformation and journalistic quality standards come under pressure.

At the same time, economic uncertainty and platform dependency are intensifying competition for attention and revenue. Added to this are changing usage habits and technological upheavals that are forcing media companies to develop new digital strategies without losing their journalistic integrity.

I took 3 days to explore the topic out of interest and here is what came out of it:

Many people are tired of the news

One phenomenon stands out in particular: news fatigue.

Constant exposure to negative news and information overload leads to resignation and a withdrawal from social issues. This weakens public interest, promotes polarisation and disinformation, and has noticeable consequences for established media outlets such as STANDARD: declining reach, lower engagement and dwindling willingness to pay.

One phenomenon stands out in particular: news fatigue.

User feedback from derstandard.at

User feedback on derstandard.at

What can we do about it?

Creating a way to stay informed without feeling overwhelmed by the quantity and frequency of news. Striking a balance between using modern technologies such as AI in a meaningful way without jeopardising readers' trust in quality journalism. Tailoring the news experience to people's individual needs.

We´re getting in

I have studied the challenges facing modern media companies in depth and analysed multiple scientific reports. I then weighted my analysis according to strategic considerations and focused on the topic of 'news fatigue'.

A Solution

"einfach - DER STANDARD" is an app designed to give people focused access to news. A limited number of news items, updated only once a day, create focus without the feeling of missing out on anything. AI supports text comprehension and helps to understand different perspectives in articles more easily. More complex topics can be explored in depth in specials, offering more in-depth analysis. The reading experience and topics can be tailored to the individual needs of users to provide a personalised experience.

A personalised message and the most important news are updated only once a day.

When articles have been read, this is marked.

Clear labelling and distinction between editorial and AI-generated content

Better understanding different perspectives with the help of AI

Answering further questions helps

to better understand the context

Settings can be adjusted to suit

personal requirements