When people say they "want to know what is going on in the world around them", I think what is meant is that they "want to know what is going on in the world around them *that could affect them and those around them*"

I, therefore, think a slightly different question would be more interesting/telling: 'What Americans who read the news reports die from vs what the news reports on'

This would demonstrate any gap between informing people of things which are relevant to them vs hyperbole.