“I Didn’t Set Up a VPN and Only Read Headlines”: News Avoidance Practices in Russia in 2022-2023

Abstract This study investigates news avoidance in contemporary Russia during crises, focusing on the different ways individuals limit their news consumption. Based on the analysis of 44 semi-structured interviews with news avoiders and 23 interviews with “pendulum” news consumers who oscillate between excessive attention to agenda information and its avoidance, collected from November 20, 2022, to February 15, 2023, the study identifies unconscious and conscious process of transition to news avoidance. People employ various algorithmic and personal regulatory practices to reduce the emotional, temporal, and cognitive costs associated with news consumption. Personal regulation offers greater flexibility in media consumption, while algorithmic regulation may create barriers to accessing content, but can be effective in limiting exposure to news. This study provides insights into how people navigate the balance between staying informed and managing the negative consequences of consuming distressing news content during crises.