It's not just Aaron Swartz (he's wrong about this part).

Many people think the news is completely junk:

http://dobelli.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Avoid_News_Par...

http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2013/10/01/the-low-informatio...

http://www.cgpgrey.com/blog/why-tv-news-is-a-waste-of-human-...

http://www.stansberryradio.com/James-Altucher/Latest-Episode...