World news is the branch of journalism that reports on events in countries other than one’s own. This field can be considered distinct from “national” news, which focuses on issues that concern the citizens of a nation or that affect the national economy. Some notable examples of world news include foreign affairs, international trade, economics and military conflicts. The concept of “world news” has been around since the birth of modern journalism in Europe during the 17th century, when it was recorded in courants (newspapers) such as the Daily Courant (England), the Nieuwe Tijudinger (Antwerp), the Avisa Relation oder Zeitung (Strasbourg), and the World News in English (Wolfenbuttel). The advent of telegraph technology made it easier to share news stories across long distances, leading to the formation of the first major news agencies, such as AFP, Reuters and DPA.
In the United States, world news is usually broadcast on news programs such as ABC’s Good Morning America and its sister show, First Look. Occasionally, this information is reported on by local television and radio stations in the course of regular programming or during breaking news events.
Historically, WNN has been an apparent training ground for young news anchors, with many of the show’s original and current anchors moving on to higher-profile positions at the network and local affiliates. When a full-time anchor leaves the program, an on-air tribute is typically held for them; in the early days, this was done with cardboard cutouts of the anchors mounted to the rafters of the studio set.