Online news services enable people to stay informed on topics that interest them. These platforms often allow readers to customize their news feeds to prioritize certain topics, allowing them to avoid information overload and focus on the stories that matter most to them. In addition, these services often include interactive media elements such as videos and infographics that can offer a deeper understanding of complex topics.
People can also use online news services to get the latest breaking news. As many of these services are digital, they can be updated in real-time, giving them an advantage over print newspapers, which typically have a slower turnaround time and may not be as up-to-date. Additionally, some online news services provide notifications via mobile devices, allowing users to receive the news they are most interested in as soon as it is published.
In many markets, a significant share of breaking news comes from aggregators and search engines. This raises questions about the future of the industry, especially when it comes to attracting subscription revenue.
The growing popularity of these sources of news has fueled calls for greater transparency and disclosure around the way they gather and present the news. Some large publishers have taken action, creating units or sub-brands that aim to answer audience questions and show how they work behind the scenes to check and verify information. For example, BBC Verify aims to explain how it checks its news reports in an era where misinformation has become increasingly prevalent.