International news is news that concerns issues that have a direct impact on people living outside of the country where they live. Whether a story is about the global economy, world health, the environment or political conflicts, international news can have a profound influence on our lives.
International news introduces unique determinants that complicate the general repertoire of journalistic news values like conflict, magnitude and surprise. It has been shown that the way a specific event is covered internationally can be very different from the same story being covered at home because of factors like cultural proximity and familial ties, as well as economic clout.
As a result of these factors, some countries receive more coverage than others because they are perceived to be closer to the home audience in terms of culture and geography. This is not necessarily a matter of government interference in journalistic content, but rather a particular manifestation of existing news values like relevance.
Other factors such as language, religion and historical legacy also play a role in how international news is framed. For example, the US-based television channel ABC News often frames stories around topics like trade, security and politics in a highly U.S.-centric manner because of the country’s enduring role in the global economy and its geopolitical importance.
Despite these challenges, international news continues to be important in many countries, and journalists need to continue to work hard to overcome the tendency toward downsizing their international coverage, while ensuring that the coverage they do offer is as accurate as possible. This includes continuing efforts to ensure that international news isn’t just a reflection of the views and priorities of national leaders, but a full representation of the complex issues facing our world.