What Is News?
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News is information about events in the world that are of interest to people. It is usually delivered through print, radio, television and the Internet. News is important because it allows people to know what is happening in the world and how it affects them. It also allows people to make informed decisions about their lives and the world. It is sometimes used for entertainment as well, but it should always be accurate and factual.
Some people argue that the purpose of journalism is to entertain, but others disagree. Most people agree that the main job of news is to inform and educate people. However, it can also be entertaining if it is presented in a way that is interesting to the audience – for example, through music and drama programs on the radio or cartoons and crossword puzzles in newspapers.
A good news article should include all of the most important facts in a concise and clear manner. The article should also be free of jargon. If jargon is used, it should be explained the first time it appears in the story. It is also important to write in a style that is readable by a wide variety of people. This means using simple vocabulary and spelling, and writing clearly rather than in a technical style.
One of the key factors in determining whether something is newsworthy is whether it is new. This is why the classic news saying, “Dog bites man — no big deal; Man bites dog — now it’s news” makes sense. However, this definition is not universal; what is new in one society may not be newsworthy in another. For instance, if a farmer finds out that the bugs in his field are eating his crops, it will be newsworthy in his society, but not in other societies where dogs are eaten (except at feasts).
Many people are interested in reading about things that have happened recently, or that are of concern to them. This is why news stories often focus on human interest topics, such as crime, politics, business, war, and weather. However, some news stories are not about humans at all, but about non-human things, such as natural disasters, animal and plant life, or science.
It is important to remember that a good news story should be objective, and try not to take sides or become involved in arguments. It is also important not to report fake news, as this can damage a newspaper’s reputation and lead to mistrust among readers.
Before starting to write a news article, the writer should prepare himself or herself by researching the topic and identifying the target audience. It is also a good idea to create an outline of the article, so that all the points can be included in the final piece. Finally, the writer should proofread the article to ensure that all the facts are correct. The article should also be credited to the author.