National news is a type of journalism that covers events and issues that affect the entire country. This includes politics, economics and major disasters. National news is often reported by a single newspaper, magazine or radio and television network. It can also be gathered and distributed by a major news agency, such as Reuters, AP, AFP or DPA (Germany).
When it comes to national news, different media outlets tend to prioritize stories based on their own audience demographics. This can cause a disparity in how similar events are covered as different audiences prioritize different topics. Local news coverage focuses on events and issues that are relevant to a specific community, which can include local government actions and crime reports. National news aims to engage a large audience across the country and may focus on national issues that resonate with a broad range of people.
As technology has changed the face of journalism, the role of the press has shifted. Newspapers began to expand into the rural regions of the United States with technological changes like the introduction of the telegraph and faster printing presses in the 1830s. At that time, many newspapers focused on advocacy, muckraking and sensationalism along with serious news reporting.
News organizations must compete for the attention of viewers, readers and listeners who have a wide variety of choices when it comes to which news sources to subscribe to. As a result, it is in their commercial interest to create an agenda that corresponds as closely as possible with the public’s interests and desires. This is known as agenda-setting and it is one of the most important functions that journalists perform.