News has evolved from a straightforward form of information to a multistage theater of ideas. The rise of television and the emergence of special-interest groups and lobbyists have increased the number of actors and conflicts in the news cycle. Today’s newsroom must be quick to respond to challenges, accusations, and misstatements. While the emergence of new technologies has allowed for faster news distribution, traditional media outlets must stay nimble and aggressive in their media relations.
In order to qualify as news, an event or story must be interesting, unique, and significant. It also has to affect the lives of people. However, the content of news can vary greatly in different societies. An event that happened weeks ago may be considered newsworthy in one country, but not in another. Similarly, a coup d’etat in a neighboring country may not be a big story in your own country, but it might affect the stability of that country.
The role of the news media is to inform and educate. While newspapers and radio may offer entertainment, it is not the purpose of the news media. News stories should not be boring, but should provide information that people can use to make informed choices.