News is information about important events that have happened, are happening or will happen. It is often reported by newspapers, magazines, radio and television but can also be found on the internet. It is a vital part of the fabric of society and helps to keep citizens informed and involved in politics and public affairs. Democracy cannot survive without a free press. News can be entertaining as well as informative, but it should always be accurate.
To make a story newsworthy it must satisfy several criteria. It must be timely, relevant and significant, have an impact on people or businesses and be accessible to a wide audience. It must also be original, interesting and compelling. It is the job of journalists to refine news to what is most relevant and interesting to their audience using a series of judgment guidelines. Some of these are:
Human interest
People are interested in stories that are about other people. This is partly due to our voyeuristic nature and partly because we are concerned about what is going on in other people’s lives. The best way to create an article that has this type of appeal is to include details about personal life and experiences. This can be done by interviewing people and writing a descriptive account.
Hard news
The hard news that makes the front page of a newspaper, appears at the top of a website or is featured prominently in a television news broadcast is usually significant, controversial and has a high impact on the general public. This type of news can be about war, business, crime or a natural disaster.
Soft news
Soft news is less significant and has a lower impact on the general public. However, it can still be important to a specific audience. For example, it could be about the retirement of a famous sports star or the marriage of a celebrity.
Features
A news feature is a detailed story that takes a specific subject and researches it heavily. These articles are more in-depth than straight reporting and can involve a lot of interviews. Often these are written in a more subjective style.
Facts
Use of facts in news articles can lend an air of authority to the piece and help readers believe it is a trustworthy source of information. Be careful, though, to not include too many facts as this can make an article long and boring. Also, don’t use excessive adjectives – these can be off putting to the reader.
If the information you are writing about is factual, then it should be sourced and credited properly. Citations can vary from outlet to outlet so it is important to check the citation requirements before you publish your work. This will prevent you from being accused of plagiarism or copyright infringement, which can have serious consequences. Also, don’t use made up quotes – this makes your article seem untrustworthy. Instead, try to use quotes from reliable sources and if possible, avoid using anonymous sources.