Does following political news fall under the saying, "Whoever is not concerned with the affairs of Muslims is not one of them," or is it a waste of time, full of lies, and of no benefit to the populace?

Caring for the affairs of Muslims is not limited to following political news, and much of the news does not meet the Shariah criteria for authentication. The obligation to follow news varies according to people's circumstances and qualifications, their positions of responsibility, and their ability to act and create positive impact. The Holy Qur'an, in Surah An-Nisa (4:83), points to the necessity of referring matters to the Messenger and those in authority, as they are the qualified ones to know the correct way to deal with news. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, forbade speaking of everything one hears without verification, and warned against spreading lies. Spreading rumors and unverified news causes discord, confusion, exposure of secrets, and affects the hearts of the weak. Societies must refer to specialized scholars and those in authority to ascertain facts.