Pick up a newspaper, and you might think the world is drowning in crises. Political unrest, economic downturns, natural disasters—the drumbeat feels relentless. But are there really more crises today, or does it just seem that way?
Researchers at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology looked for answers by analyzing over two centuries of coverage in The Times. Starting in 1785, they tracked how often and how intensely the newspaper reported on crises. To ensure their findings held up, they compared them with data from other outlets, including The Guardian, The Economist, and Switzerland’s Neue Zürcher Zeitung.
The study uncovered some patterns. Over 235 years, The Times covered more than 1,000 major crises, from financial collapses to epidemics. Big news waves about crises have occurred consistently, about four times a year. What’s new isn’t the existence of crises—but the way they’re reported.
A Shift in Rhythm
Today, crises tend to come in clusters. Instead of being evenly spread out over time, they hit like waves crashing together. Adding to this is a rise in “crisis rhetoric,” where events are described in dramatic terms even when they don’t spark widespread alarm or action.
In fact, the past two decades stand out as exceptional. Media outlets today report on more crises—and use more charged language—than ever before.
Why the Change?
The researchers point to three big reasons:
- The Power of PR
Advocacy groups, corporations, and other organizations are better than ever at framing their causes as urgent crises. They know this grabs attention and increases the odds of funding or policy changes. The media, in turn, has more material to portray events as crises than it did in the past. - A More Engaged Public
As education and voting rights have expanded, more people are paying attention to politics and public spending. This has fueled demand for news about what’s happening in government, both locally and globally. Media outlets have responded by giving more coverage to political and policy issues, often with a crisis-driven angle. - Independent, Competitive Media
Media outlets today are less tied to political parties, which gives them more freedom to set their agendas. But they also face fierce competition for readers and advertisers. In this race for attention, reporting on crises can be an effective way to attract clicks and subscriptions.
The Role of the Internet
The rise of online news has supercharged these trends. With competition now spanning the globe, the pressure to publish attention-grabbing stories is greater than ever. Dramatic headlines and constant updates make it easier to feel like we’re in a world of nonstop turmoil.
The study shows that not every event framed as a crisis deserves the label. Many so-called crises fizzle out without sparking real public concern or lasting consequences.
So, what’s really going on? Crises may be happening a bit more often, but the bigger shift is in how they’re reported. The complex dance of public interest, political priorities, and media competition has made crises seem louder and more frequent than they are.
In short: the world may not be more chaotic, but the headlines certainly are.
