National news is the type of news that affects a whole country or nation, such as political scandals and major disasters. This kind of news is reported by television and radio broadcasters, newspapers and online media. The spread of national news can be fast, as modern telecommunications allow journalists to cover events from all over the world.
Traditionally, news is conveyed from place to place by word of mouth, printing, postal systems or broadcasting. Increasingly, though, the Internet has become a vital means of transmitting national and international news. The ability to transfer information via the Internet is even more important in countries where censorship and oppressive regimes limit traditional forms of communication, such as newspapers, radio and TV. In many cases, shutting down a newspaper, radio or television station is relatively simple, but the internet can be harder to control.
In the US, the New York Times is a household name for good reason. They get around 69 million visitors a month, mostly people who are interested in politics and society. The Telegraph is a bit more old-school but still does really well. Their audience skews older and leans conservative, but they also cover things like culture and lifestyle with great depth and a polished style.
Reuters is one of the biggest news sites out there, with over 100 million visitors in April 2025. They focus on hard news, but they’re also known for their global health and development coverage, and have a big backing from the Gates Foundation. They’re adapting to a world where more and more people are getting their news on mobile, and they’re investing in platforms like TikTok.