National news covers events and issues that affect a large population across multiple regions or nations. It includes politics, economy and major disasters. Traditionally, news travels through different communication media such as newspapers and radio. More recently, television and internet became important means of transmission. News networks such as Al Jazeera, Iran’s Press TV and Russia Today, branded as RT have gained international prominence with multiplatform presences. Governments may try to control these news channels but it is much harder for them to shut down the Internet.
The concept of national news varies widely depending on the culture and political system in place. In the United States, it can be a combination of local, state and federal politics with a heavy emphasis on social policies and economics. Other countries, such as China and India, have a more regional focus with a larger emphasis on foreign policy issues and foreign aid.
A journalist who specializes in national news usually works as a correspondent for a large news organization, but also can be employed by a smaller or mid-sized newspaper or broadcaster. These journalists are often stationed in a city, country or even continent and file stories to the news editor from their sources within the government, among diplomats and members of the military, and from events they witness personally.
Journalists attempt to provide a true and unbiased reflection of the national issues that impact the community. However, this process can be influenced by the subject matter of the news story and the narrative imposed by the journalists or host of a news program. The result is that national and satire news programs may lose their objectivity.
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