News is information about current events, delivered by a number of media outlets. These may include print, broadcasting, or online news sources. News can also be delivered via word of mouth, or in more recent times, through social media.
The first newspapers to appear in Europe and the United States were called courants, or foreign papers. These were primarily about events occurring outside of the nation-state and its immediate borders, as the concept of nation-states was still developing in 17th century Europe. The development of printing and postal systems allowed for news to be circulated more widely, and the telegraph made it possible for news to be spread globally. News agencies, or wire services, began to be established, such as AFP (France), Reuters (UK) and Wolff (currently DPA).
Regional news is often a feature of national news, and the local television stations of major networks produce their own bulletins. In Australia, Seven and Nine’s local affiliate WIN produces regional news for its market from studios in Maroochydore, Surfers Paradise, Canberra and Bunbury; these bulletins are shown during the network morning programs and shared nationally.
The Public Broadcasting Service, an American non-profit television and radio broadcaster, offers national news programming through PBS NewsHour, Frontline and other shows. The program ranked 88% higher in the ratings than CNN in 2012. In the United States, public radio is another major source of national news, with many member stations offering a variety of news and public affairs programming.