A recent study reveals how well foreign news output matches audience interest in terms of topics and countries written about. The study, spanning 12 countries across the globe, was conducted by Francis Lee, of Chinese University of Hong Kong, Knut de Swert, of University of Amsterdam, and Akiba Cohen, of Yezreel Valley College.

Generally foreign news deal with the countries the audience is interested in, while the topic selection is more off the mark, the authors write. However, the level of expectation-to-output compatibility differs according to certain factors, mainly to country size and level of commercialization of the media.

The findings were published in an online-first articel of the journal Communication Research. It can be accessed online here (abstract public).

Edited on 14.1.2015: Stock photo added.