Throughout history, the way in which news is conveyed has had a profound impact on public opinion. In times of war, revolution or social unrest, the media can be a powerful tool to spread information. However, it can also have a negative effect on readership if the content is distorted or sensationalised.

As the media becomes more and more fragmented, it’s important to understand the nuances of how different news outlets approach a story. Unlike newspapers that were once limited by time zones and printing presses, most major news agencies now have 24-hour news cycles. This allows for breaking news stories to be published almost instantly. However, some journalists have noted that this rapid-turnover of news is often devoid of in-depth reporting.

In addition to covering the “five Ws” of a story, journalists are expected to be unbiased and avoid sensationalism. They also have limited resources in terms of staff, space and time. Because of these constraints, they make judgment calls about which events to focus on and which aspects of a story to highlight.

For example, a local news station might focus on regional business, crime or weather while the network news might cover presidential campaigns and international relations. These choices may influence how voters perceive political candidates. For instance, some research shows that the amount of time devoted to horse-race coverage during election campaigns can lead people to vote for candidates with lower poll numbers. It also affects how voters interpret policies made by Congress and the president.