During the 20th century, television and radio became key media for transmitting news. In the 21st century, the Internet has begun to play a similar role. Its ability to reach millions of viewers worldwide has made it a popular alternative to Western media.
The content of news is often influenced by social developments. For example, the rise of special-interest groups and the explosion of lobbyists have created more conflicts than ever.
Whether news is interesting or dull is also an important factor. People take interest in confrontations between nations, and between groups. They can also be interested in health and weather. Unusual crimes or events also have more impact on readers.
Traditionally, news has been transmitted via printed media. In the 19th century, a news reporter would go to the newspaper’s office and type up the story, then call it in. The news was then delivered over wire services.
In the 20th century, news aggregators came into existence. These websites provide a single place for readers to find multiple stories. These news aggregators often have no reporters of their own, but instead rely on other sources to report news.
During a conflict, the press tends to neglect the substance of the issue. It reports what it thinks the government is saying. This approach has resulted in a phenomenon known as the “Mirror Model,” in which news is judged based on the way it is presented.
According to the Mirror Model, the news is a reflection of the political and ideological biases of the people involved. In this model, the press is corrupting public perceptions by seeking out “dueling cover stories” and competing for readers’ attention.
