News is information about events that has happened or will happen in the world. These events may be important or not. They can also be about people. News is generally published in a newspaper or magazine, but can be broadcast on television and radio too. It can also be found on the Internet.
Some people think that newspapers are the best way to get news, but others believe that it is better to get news from other sources. Both views have their pros and cons.
The importance of a news item is judged by journalists, who use a series of criteria to decide whether or not an event should be reported. These include the 5 Ws – who, what, where, when and why. They also take into account the effect on society and how it is being affected.
A story is news if it catches attention, is unusual, interesting or significant. It can also have an element of conflict, shock or surprise in it. It is also important that it is timely and that there is a high level of interest in it. For example, a story about a plane crash might be a big news item but one about a football match is not.
There are different types of news stories, for example, crime, money, weather and food. The most important element is the impact of a news item on society. Crime, such as road traffic offences, burglaries and murder, has a strong impact and is therefore newsworthy. Money stories, such as business successes and failures, fortunes made or lost and compensation claims are also of interest. Even a change in the amount of money donated to a charity can make a news item.
Other elements that are important in a news article are its magnitude and exclusivity. Magnitude refers to the size of the event. It is easier to report on a huge flood or earthquake than on a smaller fire. Exclusivity refers to the fact that a news item is something that has been discovered by, or made available first to, a particular news organisation, for example, in the form of interviews, letters, investigations, surveys and polls.
It is also important that a story has the support of experts. This is particularly the case with foreign or political news. This is to ensure that the information is accurate and to avoid any bias. This is a fundamental part of journalism and is vital for the credibility of the newspaper. In addition, it helps the journalist to make sure that they have a fair and balanced view of an issue. A good example of this is when a archbishop supports the ordination of women priests while another archbishop opposes it. Lastly, it is essential that a newspaper has a wide audience. This can be achieved through television, radio, newspaper and the Internet. The popularity of websites such as Facebook and Twitter mean that it is now possible for people to access news from a variety of sources.