News is information about current events that is published in newspapers, magazines, radio and television. It can also be found on the internet, including social media sites. The purpose of news is to inform, educate and entertain its readers, listeners and viewers. Entertainment can come from other areas – music and drama on the radio or in films; crosswords and cartoons in newspapers.
What makes a story newsworthy? News stories are usually about people or things that affect human beings. They can include the effects of weather, such as a cyclone, bush fire or drought; or the effect of politics, such as an election result or war. People can also make news with their actions, such as protesting against a government or warring against another country.
The way that a story is written and presented will determine how important it is and whether or not the audience will find it interesting. The amount of detail that is included in a news story can also affect its importance.
A good news story will contain information that is unbiased and accurate. This can be difficult to achieve, however, as the prejudices of journalists and news outlets may influence what is considered to be newsworthy.
It is also important that a news story has an element of surprise, contrast or the unusual about it. This will help to catch the attention of the reader and make them want to keep reading. The use of colour and images can also add to the impact of a news story.
When writing a news story, it is important to use primary and secondary sources. Primary sources are pieces of information that come directly from the person involved in the event. For example, if a cat is saved from a fire, the reporter might interview the owner or the firefighters who saved it. Secondary sources are pieces of information that have been collected from other news sources. For example, the reporter might look back at previous fire coverage or might ask other pet owners if they have noticed any changes in behaviour.
It is important to read a wide range of news sources, as different sources will have a different perspective on the same event. This is especially true in politics, where each news outlet has its own political biases. Getting a variety of perspectives will help you to understand the issue more fully and make an informed decision. It is also important to check the facts of a news story, as false information can be spread quickly in an online world. There are many websites that specialise in fact-checking, including Snopes and PolitiFact. Taking the time to do this can save you a lot of frustration in the future. It is a good idea to share news articles on social media only after you have checked the facts and considered the impact of your actions. Doing this will stop you from clogging up people’s feeds with unimportant information.