In English-speaking markets, consumers desire a wide range of international news content to be available to them via a variety of channels. For example, they may watch a bulletin on TV, but then go online to find additional information and opinions on the same story. This is a reflection of a more global society in which the media plays an increasingly important role in shaping people’s perceptions and understanding of other parts of the world.
In addition to this broader shift in consumption, many different theoretical perspectives have highlighted the need for journalistic organisations to provide more international coverage as a way to foster deeper global understanding. In particular, some academics have pointed to the existence of a series of ‘determinants’ in which events and developments that are culturally or geographically proximate or of significant economic or geopolitical clout are more likely to be featured on news agendas.
It’s worth noting that the existence of these determinants does not necessarily indicate that national governments dictate or meddle with journalistic agendas, as they are simply a specific manifestation of existing news values like relevance and timeliness. In fact, other scholars have argued that the variance in international news coverage is actually an inherent characteristic of journalistic cultures and the ways in which they connect with local interests. Nevertheless, this does not diminish the importance of ensuring that all international news coverage is free from political bias and sensationalism, which is a key element in building trust with audiences.