ABSTRACT
Television news is the most pervasive source of public affairs information in western industrialized societies today. The provision of news has come to be regarded by broadcasters and audiences alike as one of the most important functions carried out by television, a fact that is illustrated by the amount of air time routinely occupied by news programmes in the schedules of major networks and local TV stations, and by the behaviour of many millions of people who have their sets tuned in to television news bulletins every day.
