News is an entertainment show. News editors edit actual events into an engaging narrative in the same way that reality TV shows edit the events that occur in their show's domain into a narrative. There is plenty of raw material to work with. On any given day there are wars, injustices, political in-fighting, dishonest or fraudulent behaviour, and amusing stories about dogs on skateboards (or whatever). They're just editing it together.

Those in positions of power are so good at manipulating the news agenda too. Everyone from the government to the British Royal Family to Beyoncé to ISIS are at it; essentially pitching stories to news editors in the hope they get picked up.

Personally, I try to avoid it. I find news uses fear and outrage too much as a way to keep you watching, and it engenders a sense of hopelessness. Come election time I do some research and vote accordingly, the rest of the time I avoid it.