I have to wonder who actually reads headlines from a newspaper (or news feeds as it may be now) and thinks they're "well-informed"?

My dad would. He would hear one line from something and then change his behaviours :D

Technically but I imagine anyone not immediately local but who had family or friends in that area at that time would be secondarily affected.

Yes, so the news might be relevant for a small amount of people outside - but is broadcast globally and 8 billion people consume it. For what reason?

I think most people today (maybe always) occupy their minds with what doesn't actually support what they want or need to the point that they don't spend any time really evaluating their true wants and needs. It is all vague, cloudy - and therefore what needs to be done is not concrete.