Review of Inshorts: From Quality News to Sensationalism
The Decline of Inshorts
Back when Inshorts first launched, it was an innovative and engaging news app that provided summaries of current affairs, politics, business, and technology. However, in recent years, the app has faced a significant shift in its core focus. Now, instead of delivering timely and substantive news articles, users are met with an overwhelming barrage of sensational content. This change is particularly evident in the morning news feed, where one would expect insightful updates on politics, business, and technology, but instead is met with trivial stories about minor crimes and social media trends. This constant dissatisfaction has left many users, including myself, feeling disenchanted and in urgent need of a change.
The Fading Popularity and Urgent Need for Change
The trend towards sensationalism has also put Inshorts' popularity at risk. As news outlets increasingly prioritize sensational stories, the platform needs to adapt or risk losing its relevance. The shift towards focusing on entertainment news like social media influencers and celebrity crimes has dramatically altered the app's content offering. This issue is even more pronounced when one considers that a significant portion—around 50%—of the news on Inshorts relates to sports (specifically, the Indian Premier League, or IPL) and celebrity news. This narrow focus suggests that the editorial team may be driven more by their personal interests than by the broader concerns of the general public. Such a niche target audience is unsustainable in the long term, as it fails to cater to a wider demographic seeking quality, time-sensitive news.
The Political Bias and Its Impact
Inshorts has also been accused of political bias, particularly in the aftermath of the Pulwama attacks in Kashmir. There have been instances where the app has skewed content in favor of certain political parties, notably the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP). For example, before the Pulwama attacks, the app was known to promote news that was more favorable to Rahul Gandhi. This inconsistency in editorial stance raises serious questions about the app's impartiality and reliability. Additionally, Inshorts continues to feature politically loaded content that appears to be more aligned with the BJP's perspective, such as constructing arguments against the government-led development projects. These issues have caused many users to question the motivations behind the app's content choices and to seek alternative news sources like Google News, which offers a more balanced and diverse range of news articles.
Conclusion and Future Outlook
As things stand, Inshorts has moved away from its roots as an informative and concise news app, becoming instead a platform that prioritizes sensationalism and personal interests over quality journalism. The app's current trajectory could lead to a decline in its user base and relevance, especially if it continues to veer away from providing real-time, balanced news. For Inshorts to regain its former reputation and remain relevant, it needs to make a concerted effort to offer more comprehensive and balanced news coverage, aligning more closely with the diverse needs and interests of its audience. It is essential for Inshorts to strike a balance between providing a wide range of news topics and maintaining editorial integrity to ensure user satisfaction and retain its user base.