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There was a time when newspapers in particular and the media in general merely reported the news. Not anymore. The vast majority of business people I have researched believe that the news media want to make the news for us wherever and whenever possible.

And why are they doing this? Why are they behaving in this way? The consensus is that the internet ensures that news supply vastly exceeds demand. Many new media outlets are emerging and many traditional players face oblivion.

The danger for leaders in business is that when the media succeeds in attracting our attention then that is where our energy will surely follow. And it doesn’t matter whether the media are talking about global warming, oil supplies, nuclear proliferation, the economy, MP’s expenses, soil erosion or cuckoos becoming extinct, the spin will invariably be depressing 90% of the time. And even if the figure isn’t 90%, that is how it feels to most of us most of the time.

But if we are running a business our first priority on a Monday morning may be to inspire our people, or launch a new product or a new service, or explore some new technology initiative in an uncertain world. We need all the enthusiasm, passion and energy for these tasks that we can muster. The very last thing any of us need is anything that effectively undermines our efforts.

It makes sense to abandon any of the media that have a negative effect on you and your business efforts whether it is a newspaper, BBC news or Twitter.

Lots of business people recommend Terry Wogan to start the day.