News is information about current events that affect people’s lives or have the potential to do so. It is delivered in a variety of formats, including newspaper articles, television and radio broadcasts, and the Internet. Most people read, watch or listen to the news for entertainment and information. They may also form opinions about what is newsworthy and why. The content of news is determined by gatekeepers, who are the people who decide what is included in a newspaper or on TV or the Internet. They are known as editors, news directors or news managers. They are able to make their decisions because they have a strong understanding of the characteristics of news.
Generally speaking, something that is new and unusual will make news. There is, however, a great deal of variation in what people consider to be newsworthy in different societies. The classic example is that “dog bites man” is not news, but in a society where dogs are eaten, it might be.
Most news is about people, whether they are the victims of a war or natural disaster. People want to know what happens to their friends and family, so they turn to the news for this information. This is why there are so many news organizations; they have to compete for your attention.
A good news story is short so that people will read it, clear so they will understand it, picturesque so they will remember it and, above all, accurate so they will be guided by it. News is usually reported by professional journalists who have been trained to be objective and unbiased. However, even these professionals must be aware of their biases and make efforts to eliminate them.
The most important characteristic of news is timeliness. The news is about what is happening now or that has just happened. It is not about what happened 10 years ago or last year (unless it is an anniversary of a major event, such as the first man on the moon).
In order to write a good news article it is important to have an idea of who your audience is and to know what kind of information they will be interested in. This will dictate the voice and tone of your article and help you to know what kind of facts you should include. It is also important to check all of your facts before publishing the article. Getting them wrong will discredit the whole piece and potentially damage your reputation as a writer.
A good way to improve your news writing is to read other examples and to watch news stations and shows. See how the professional writers get the information across and what tone they use. Lastly, it is essential to have a strong concluding sentence that either restates the leading statement or points out potential future developments in the topic. This will help to keep the reader engaged and ensure that your news article has the highest chance of being successful.