Bad news nearly always reaches us more quickly than good news. News about trouble and misfortune circulates fast because people have the tendency to be more eager to pass on negative information than positive information, so it can quickly spread far and wide.
The old version of the proverb is Ill news comes apace.
The origin of the proverb is very s a very old proverb, being traced back to Plutarch, who wrote in 46-120 AD: “That old proverbial saying, ‘bad news travels fast and far’ is true enough.” The proverb has been used in various forms throughout history and is still very used today.