The national news genre focuses on events, issues and information that are of interest to audiences across an entire country. This distinction, which historically has defined the broader definition of journalism, can influence how stories are selected and prioritized by different news organizations. Local and national news can also intersect, with local events being framed within a broader context to appeal to a wider audience.
News media coverage of national affairs typically includes issues of a general or broad interest, such as war, politics, education, business, economics and sports. National newspapers are one of the most influential forms of national news, and are often able to shape public discourse through their wide reach and extensive editorial resources. However, their relevance is contested amid contemporary challenges like declining print circulation and evolving digital news consumption.
A national news organization may choose to focus on a particular issue through the use of special programming and events, or by prioritizing certain topics and events in their daily headlines. The prominence of a particular news event or story can shape the perceptions and priorities of readers, and can have an effect on how national political leaders and elected officials respond to those concerns.
MSNBC is a 24-hour cable news network that debuted in 1996. The channel is owned by NBCUniversal and co-owned by Microsoft, which gradually sold its stake to NBC until the network became fully owned by NBCUniversal in 2017. MSNBC is known for its left-wing bias, which has been attributed to its founder and longtime host, Mika Brzezinski, and to its anchors and guest hosts such as John Oliver and Rachel Maddow. It is available through a number of subscription television services, including the Altice USA-owned Optimum and Suddenlink cable systems and Charter Spectrum.