During the past decade, nearly one in five newspapers has closed. This leaves thousands of communities without a newspaper to turn to. This can spell trouble in the long run, as a lack of local news often means people are less informed and isolated.

However, the news media have been far from transparent in their reporting. According to a Gallup survey, public confidence in the press is on the decline. Many newspapers are owned by big business and change owners frequently. The number of independent owners has declined significantly over the past few years. This makes the future of individual papers a matter of whoever owns them. Some iconic weeklies have merged with bigger dailies, or been sold to the big boys. Those that remain are mostly shells of their former selves.

To the uninitiated, a headline is the simplest and cheapest way to get your message out to a broader audience. A good headline should be catchy, informative and interesting. It should also be clear and specific. In the information age, headlines are becoming more important, particularly in the digital realm.

For example, the news media are now more focused on systemic issues and crises than they are on substantive matters. It’s a trend that is a reflection of American culture. It’s also a result of consolidation in the industry. The biggest 25 newspaper chains now own two thirds of all the country’s dailies, and most of the smaller ones have been sold off to the big boys. It’s a bleak situation, especially as the paper industry is undergoing a period of financial distress.

The press has had to reinvent itself. In the 1990s, print advertising revenue was record high. The number of reporters at newspapers has been cut in half. But with the advent of technology, new business models are being developed, such as digital only newsrooms. These are designed to provide local news in a variety of formats.

As the information age continues to unfold, it’s likely that the news media will have to change their presentation methods to keep up with the rapid pace of change. The proliferation of special-interest groups and lobbyists has created a flood of competing stories. There are also new technologies that allow companies to respond quickly to accusations and misstatements. These innovations may just be the tip of the iceberg.

Another example is the gambling industry. This multibillion dollar industry is in a state of constant evolution. In addition to providing critical insights into the industry, it also provides a steady stream of market trends. It’s also a prime candidate for a planted news story.

For instance, the news that Germany was involved in the Somalia operation is probably not in the news right now. But a story about a German soldier’s valiant efforts to help a young boy in Somalia is not in the same league as the news that the United Nations was involved in the first atomic bomb test in Alamogordo, New Mexico.