What is Current Affairs?

The two words – Current and Affairs come together to give an interesting name to a subject of study. Current means recent, day to day life and affairs mean events, issues etc. Therefore current affairs are the day to day incidents and events around us.
Current affairs different from news
Technically Current Affairs is defined as a genre of broadcast journalism where the emphasis is on detailed analysis and discussion of news stories that have recently occurred or are ongoing at the time of broadcast. This differs from regular news broadcasts where the emphasis is on news reports prepared for simple presentation as soon as possible, often with a minimum of analysis. It is also different from the news magazine show format in that the events are discussed immediately. According to the UK's Office of Communications Current Affairs is an explanation and analysis of current events and issues, including political or industrial controversy or public policy issues. The office distinguishes Current Affairs from the coverage of news, coverage of special events like parliamentary proceedings, and the coverage of consumer affairs, among other exceptions.

The incidents and events that occur in an individual’s immediate environment are of concern and interest as they are so strongly related to one’s cognitive-emotional structure.
Reach of current affairs
Current affairs revolve around happenings in different field related to national, international, economy, sports, science and technology, environment. Reach of Current affairs is wider and deep affecting all and sundry. Current Affairs enclose within its fold incidents occurring in different categories as well as related developments. For example national events include within its fold aspects like economy, social, political, sports, science, environment, etc. The events can be of national importance, or be relevant at the state, district level. Likewise if we talk about International Current its range could be related to the various aspects of politics, economy, science and environment, and reach could be spread across continents like-America, Latin America, European, southern Asia, East Asia, Central Asia, Africa, gulf countries etc. Looking at this vastness in reach and range of current affairs it can be suggested that one should demarcate the limits of current affairs on the basis of individual needs and objectives.

For more information: Visit the Jagran Josh Current Affairs Section