News is information about current and interesting events that have happened, or are happening, anywhere in the world. It is delivered to the public by newspapers, radio and television and it is also available online. Usually, the news is based on things that are significant to society, such as wars, crimes, terrorism and natural disasters. News articles should be accurate and timely. They should also be entertaining and informative.
There are many different kinds of news stories, each with its own unique characteristics. Some are more important than others. The biggest and most important stories are given the highest priority and placed above the fold in newspaper columns (the crease that can be found when the paper is folded) and on news broadcasts.
A news story can be a report, a diary, an interview, a review or an opinion piece. A news article should be written in an objective and impartial manner, despite the writer’s own views or opinions.
The most important thing to remember when writing a news story is who the audience is. This will dictate the tone and voice of the article and help determine what should be included. The demographic may be obvious, such as if the article is about a school event for parents of young children or an announcement about a new restaurant opening in a commercial district, but it can also be more subtle. For example, if an article is about an insect that is destroying crops it will probably only interest people living in the area where the crops are grown.
Other factors that can influence what makes a news story are: Proximity: Is it about something that happened close to home? Impact: Does it have a major effect on the lives of a large number of people? Controversy: People like controversies and anything that involves arguments, conflicts, charges and counter-charges and fights can be newsworthy. Prominence: People are interested in the lives of famous people and what they do.
Finally, it is always worth letting an editor read the news story before it is published. They can catch spelling errors and simplify awkward sentences, as well as ensuring that the facts are correct. It is important that the news is as accurate as possible because democracy depends on an informed citizenry. In the modern world, with its globalization and increased interconnectedness, this is more important than ever before. A free press is considered the oxygen of democracy and it needs to be protected at all costs. To do this, the media must be independent and not be influenced by outside sources. This means that the journalists must be independent and free from governmental and corporate influence. This is often difficult, particularly in developing countries where journalists face severe censorship and suppression. As a result, many journalists are forced to work in silence or even disappear. In these situations, the journalist can only survive if they are supported by an active citizenry that demands freedom of speech and the right to access the truth.