At the birth of modern journalism in the 17th century, world news was a significant part of newspapers. Indeed, the first telegraph innovations enabled news from abroad to be shared quickly and easily. This led to the first news agencies like AFP, Reuters and Wolff (currently DPA, Germany).
In the US, the distinction between world and national news can be blurry; a war may be classified as world news even when it involves a country the United States is not at war with. But a more common definition of world news includes events that affect many nations, rather than just one.
This can include global political movements, such as Brexit and the rise of populism; major disasters such as hurricanes and earthquakes; or the proliferation of terrorist attacks. Some news organizations have specialized divisions dedicated to covering these topics. The field has also expanded to include a broad range of social issues.
While some segments are rebroadcasts of story packages from other ABC News programs, the show does feature a number of original pieces. World News Now is a training ground for new ABC News anchors, with several of its current and former hosts going on to higher-profile jobs with the network and its local affiliates. The show has also been known for its interactive features, such as the “World News Now Internet Forum” that allows viewers to send questions and comments to the host during the live broadcast.
WNN’s weekday production credits are scrolled over a version of the song “World News Now Polka,” originally performed by comedian Barry Mitchell. On Friday mornings, a segment called Insomniac Theater airs, in which the anchors discuss and review a recent film release.