A war is happening in Lebanon. A major displacement is taking place in Darfur. The US President is delivering a speech in Moscow. Many important events happen simultaneously. Thanks to international newspapers and news networks, we can get updated with everything that happens around the world even without moving a toe.
Imagine living in a place where no international news is delivered. You won't be updated on what's going on beyond your country's borders. You won't have any idea if there is a war sparking outside of your country's territory. You won't have a clue if the world will go to war once again. International news enables us to keep updated with the world --- as in the whole world. It is not enough to know what's happening in your country. The events overseas may have direct or significant effects on your life.
Almost a century ago, people relied heavily on newspapers to get their daily dose of international news. Because of the nature of the printing press, news reached the people a little later --- usually the next morning. Today, however, technology allows us to get real-time information about what's happening all over the globe, thanks to international news networks. Here are the two largest international news organizations in the world.
British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)
The BBC is the world's largest broadcasting corporation. It employs over 28,000 people in the United Kingdom alone, and has an annual budget of over £4 billion. It was founded in 1922 and was made a state-owned company in 1927. This news organization produces information services and news programs that are broadcast globally through radio, television and the Internet. With its motto “Nation Shall Speak Peace Unto Nation,” the BBC claims to be free from commercial and political influence, and answers only to its listeners and viewers.
Cable News Network (CNN)
Founded in 1980, CNN is a Time-Warner owned news cable television network, which introduced the idea of 24-hour TV news coverage. It is America's leading cable news source. While it has several affiliates, CNN mainly broadcasts from its headquarters in Atlanta, in New York City and in Washington D.C. It also airs globally through CNN International, making it available to over 1.5 billion people in more that 212 countries and territories.
One survey of 100 TV newscasts revealed that in the United States alone, international news takes around one-third of the total news airtime. International news is also the most dominant lead stories --- more than all the other news subjects combined. With this, we can easily assume that what happens in the international community truly matters, even in the domestic setting.
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