News coverage is the media’s report of current events. It may be published in newspapers, magazines, television and radio. News stories are also found on the internet.
In the past, printed news came from a wire service or was brought to a newspaper’s newsroom where it was edited and manually set in type along with other stories for a particular edition. Today, electronic communication satellite technology allows news to be transmitted instantly worldwide from one city or country to another.
News reports can provide information on a variety of topics, including war, politics, business, the economy, health, education, sports, and entertainment. Government proclamations about royal ceremonies, laws, taxes, and public health are sometimes considered newsworthy.
Many people think of the media as a mirror that reflects what is going on in government and society back to the citizens. However, the media is actually more like a searchlight that illuminates some objects and leaves others in the dark.
A journalist’s goal is to present the most important and interesting facts in a concise manner. They will often leave out insignificant details or even the entire background of a story. They will focus on events that affect the largest number of people and those that are most likely to influence a viewer’s choices or opinions.
It is not unusual for the media to sensationalize a story to attract attention. This is especially true for negative news, such as a terrorist attack or a natural disaster. In fact, there is growing evidence that exposure to negative news can have long term effects on a person’s well-being. For example, one study showed that people who reported high levels of stress about the September 11 attacks were 53% more likely to have heart problems three years later than those with lower stress levels.