What Is News?
News is any information that affects people’s daily lives and interests. This includes major events, such as wars or political unrest, but it also covers minor events, such as the death of a local celebrity or a traffic accident. News is often based on facts, but it may contain opinion or speculation as well. It should be unbiased and presented in a fair and objective manner. In the past, people gathered news from local sources, such as the town crier or the radio or newspaper. Today, there are numerous ways to gather news, including the Internet and television.
A news article must grab the attention of readers immediately by using a strong headline that tells readers what the story is about. The article itself should be short and to the point, and it should use formal language. It is important to always provide a source for any information in a news article, and it is usually advisable to avoid using first names or initials unless they are known to the readership. The article should be written in third person for clarity and to avoid jarring the reader with sudden switches to second or first person.
The most important factors that determine whether something is newsworthy are the extent to which it is unexpected, interesting, significant and of interest to a wide range of people. A story about a murder or terrorist attack is likely to be very newsworthy, while a report on an everyday event such as a football match is unlikely to catch the public’s imagination. However, different societies will have different opinions about what is newsworthy. For example, the relative importance of cows and pigs in a particular society will affect whether an animal tragedy is considered newsworthy.
In addition to these traditional criteria, some modern elements can influence the appeal of a news item. For example, the rise of ‘citizen journalism’ and mobile phone technology has enabled ordinary people to record and transmit their own views on events as they unfold. This can add a dimension to the reporting of news that is difficult for the established media to achieve.
A healthy civil society depends on the ability of citizens to evaluate the validity of information and act accordingly. This requires a certain level of literacy, which can be achieved by reading widely and critically and by visiting websites that actively fact-check news stories.