What Makes News?
News is information about events or activities that are considered important or significant. It may be reported in newspapers, magazines, radio, television or the Internet. The purpose of news is to inform, educate and entertain. News reports are often focused on social, economic and political issues. They can also be about sports, weather or quirky or unusual events. People have been distributing news since ancient times, but technological and social developments have increased the speed at which it is transmitted and influenced its content.
What makes news varies from one culture to another, but some common topics include war, government, politics, education, health, the environment, business and entertainment. It can also be about religious and social events or criminals. News is most likely to be published when it is controversial or of importance to a large number of people.
The most important things that make up a news story are usually human events such as an accident, disaster or illness. However, other non-human events such as a hurricane, flood or earthquake can also be considered newsworthy. Other events that are considered newsworthy are political or diplomatic events such as an election, summit meeting or treaty agreement. In addition to describing the event, news reporters need to explain why it is newsworthy. This includes giving background information and expert opinions, as well as explaining the impact of the event.
While it is true that some news stories may be biased, a good journalist will attempt to report all sides of the story. They should also avoid sensational or inflammatory language and use neutral wording when possible. They should aim to write clearly and concisely so that the reader can understand the story. They should not include their own personal opinion, but they should present facts and quotes from experts.
In addition to straight news reporting, there are other types of news articles such as in-depth pieces and features. An in-depth piece is a deeper look at a particular subject that requires heavy research and analysis. A feature article takes a more human approach and focuses on a single person or event.
To be considered credible, a source of news must be independent and free of commercial interests. Some of the best sources for news are public broadcasters such as radio and television stations, or newspapers that are editorially independent. These sources are less prone to bias and offer a wide range of perspectives on various events. There are also some great news websites that target students of all ages with age appropriate content. Some of these sites have specific categories that focus on a topic such as sports or travel, and others regularly organize news into Top 10 lists. For example, the Midfield Dynamo Football site frequently creates Top 10 lists of NCAA scoring leaders and most dumb plays in history. Regardless of the type of news, these classroom-friendly sources are great for teaching students about different perspectives on current events.