National news is the term used to refer to events, issues and developments that have significance across a nation. This includes national politics, economics and major disasters. It can also include international events such as war.
National news typically is gathered from correspondents located in foreign countries. These reporters may be full-time employees of a news agency or, more commonly, freelancers (often referred to as stringers) who produce stories for several different companies at the same time. National news is also sourced from wire services that supply reports to newspapers, magazines, radio and television broadcasters and others who use them. This is an ancient form of journalism that began with a handful of specialized correspondents in the 17th century, registering news in courants, or daily papers, in Europe.
As the number of local news outlets has declined, the selection and prioritization of community versus national news stories has become increasingly important to citizens. With fewer resources available for local reporting, people may be less aware of community needs and the impact of federal and state decisions on their lives. The declining presence of local news organizations may also impede public engagement in the political process as citizens are not fully informed about the actions of their city governments and communities.
National news sources often have more resources and reach than their local counterparts, allowing them to cover broader, more national topics. This can lead to a blurring of the lines between local and national news, with stories that are only of concern to a narrow audience getting significant media attention. This is often seen in the coverage of political scandals and controversies or in the coverage of terrorism, for example.
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