I tend to filter. I don't think you need to keep it from them, but if you know something is disturbing to a child (especially at only 6 years old) there is really no need to go into detail regarding current affairs etc. If the subject comes up, discuss it, but in terms for a CHILD, not from the news. The news looks for the shock factor because it makes for good TV and it gets viewers (however, adult viewers are the target.) Again, just filtering and remembering the age of your child you can modify how the information is presented. My child is 9 and I don't let her watch the news. I may tell her about things that affect our country but not from seeing it on the news or hearing it from the TV. We talk about it and she learns about it in a controlled environment.