National news is the type of news that affects a large number of people or has a major impact on the nation. This is typically seen in political happenings and major disasters, but can also include other topics of a broad interest to citizens. It differs from local news which covers crime reports and community events that occur in a specific area. National news articles may be published in newspapers and broadcasted over radio or television.
Originally, national news was printed in newspapers and distributed by mail. In the modern era, it is available instantaneously over cable and satellite technology, with national broadcasters able to send news stories from around the world directly to consumers’ homes. Similarly, internet and mobile phone technology allow information to be sent from anywhere in the world directly to computers and phones.
The process of selecting and creating national news involves many different factors, including the models of news making. The Civic Journalism model allows the press to discover what matters to the audience and use those issues as the basis for their reporting. This model allows audiences to be active participants in society.
As the government shutdown continues, millions of Americans could lose access to food assistance and other essential federal programs. The NPR Network is tracking the impact and looking ahead to what might happen next.
About the Author
