i did the same thing and saw my sanity return, it's clear the news has a bias and is a bit too cosy with the hand that feeds it (finance and politics/sources). at the same time some exposure is necessary to understand public issues as seen through the lens of the powerful and not so powerful (family, friends, etc.), you can't be completely out of the loop.
i disagree that the daily barrage/unrest of the news is the source of discontent, most people have very real troubles (poor wages, long commute, etc.) in reality that are reflected poorly in the news, and it's clear to these same people that financial power and connections make your voice heard, which compounds the disconnect and feeling of injustice. the reality is that talent and hard work does not transalate to fulfillment and happiness because there are a number of invisible factors (connections, family name, colour of skin, accent, place of study) which will sort the pyramid in an unfair (to the person making the effort, creation, etc.) way. fringe ideas and events often do not make it into this consensus, and it's good to remember that environmental issues were once considered fringe. so i think there is a very real basis for this discontent.
it's true that at a basic level the building blocks of happiness (family, friendship, love, etc.) are there for all, but it's also true that other factors can and do impede achievement of these things and they are often external, whether through media or directly in the theatre of life.