For most of human history, individuals had little knowledge of what was happening in the world outside the immediate vicinity. In a primitive world, you could see to the horizon—and that was the extent of your awareness. By contrast, today many people around the world can be made instantly aware of events going on at other places around the world.

This ability to see beyond the horizon is potent. Imagine, once again, you are in a primitive world unaware that beyond the horizon lay a hungry lion, or a fertile valley. How much better would be your decision-making with the ability to see beyond the horizon?

Of course, primitive people did have ways to learn of what lies beyond the horizon.

• One way is to deduce from natural clues what lies beyond the horizon, e.g., ancient Polynesian navigators catamaraning across the vast Pacific Ocean recognized signs in the immediate vicinity or visible on the horizon which indicated the presence of a still invisible island.
• Another way is to learn from other people, such as a companion who traveled out and returned, or from a stranger who came over the horizon and was willing and able to share his knowledge.
• Etc.

Nowadays, some people make careers out of venturing beyond the horizon and reporting back.

• The News Reporter who describes current events.
• Historians who describe events beyond the horizon of time and space.
• Scientists who study things invisible to our senses (metaphorically, beyond the horizon of our senses).
• Detectives who try to reconstruct the hidden events surrounding a crime to present to a trial jury or judge.
• Etc.

My use of the term "news" is centered on the individual.

Since each individual has his own horizon, what is "news" to one individual may not be news to another. What is interesting to one individual, may not be to another.

Each individual has his own standard for what he wants to hear, eg, the local weather forecast, commuter traffic, friends and family, the boss’ mood, a favorite celebrity’s lovelife.

However, the News Media cannot focus on a single individual’s interest. Instead, they endeavor to appeal to a wide population of people by selecting news of general interest. It even selects news the particular news organizations regard as important despite the general public’s apathy (eg, legislative activity). However, it includes news of lesser widespread importance (eg, sports, showbiz, lurid crimes, flashy catastrophes).