News coverage is information disseminated through media such as newspapers, radio, and television. It plays an important role in society by raising awareness of emerging issues, influencing individuals’ perceptions and opinions, and motivating their behaviors. This is particularly true during critical events, such as natural disasters.
While some people are able to tune out news or avoid it entirely, for others, the constant exposure can exacerbate anxiety about everyday things. It can also contribute to feelings of hopelessness, causing someone to feel they are powerless to help or change something.
When a disaster occurs, reporters and news staff collect photos or videos from the scene. Then, they write their stories based on this information. They may then submit their work to the news desk, where it gets heavily edited by editors, called copy-editors (U.S.) and sub-editors (Europe). In addition to news, some journalists offer opinions or analysis of the latest happenings. These are called commentators or columnists.
Some research suggests that local journalists are viewed as more trustworthy than national ones. This may be because they are perceived as being part of the community and understand the local issues. People also tend to feel more empathy towards those who are homeless, for example, when they see local journalists cover the issue compared to national outlets that focus on the homelessness epidemic in general.
Critics argue that major sources of news are often biased and fail to present an honest presentation of political positions and policies. They may also provide partisan and ideological commentary designed to influence voters’ preferences.