Four apps to solve the news crisis in 2026

Abstract

In global, multi-billion dollar contest for attention, the algorithms are constantly “improved” to be more compelling; eventually, the most algorithmically juiced site of all, TikTok, emerged. [...]even when ethical, well-reported, fact-checked, and credible news organizations break through the noise, only a tiny number of those organizations’ stories emerge, and they’re not compensated for it. Major newspapers are covering these events daily, but most people never hear about them. Because the algorithms prioritize engagement, not credibility, people are exposed to extreme and polarizing content, including disinformation, false information and made-up AI slop.