What is News?

News is an account of events, developments and other pieces of information that are considered relevant and timely to a particular audience. It is often reported by journalists. It can be written about the personal or professional lives of individuals, about groups of people and about the world in general. It can be published on the Internet, in print or on television. The content of news stories is often a matter of opinion and may be subject to editorial influence.

A news story is usually about something that has happened in the past, but it can also be about a potential event in the future or even about an idea. News articles may be of interest to people who are interested in politics, current affairs or social trends. They are also important for people who want to keep up with their communities and local events.

The most interesting stories are those that feature people. This is because most people are affected by the things that happen around them. Road traffic accidents, crimes, the success or failure of business ventures and wars are all examples of newsworthy events. The weather is another topic that often makes the news. It can affect the daily routine of people and it is interesting when there are unusual conditions or weather patterns. Food and drink is another area of interest to the news media. Stories about famine, crop diseases, price rises and compensation claims are all newsworthy. Stories about the arts – music, dance and theatre – are also frequently reported in the press.

There is no such thing as completely unbiased news, but there are some organisations that try to avoid being biased. These include Reuters, Bloomberg and the Associated Press. These are companies that offer services to a number of different news outlets, and they are used because they provide a reliable source of information.

A good news article will begin with a dramatic anecdote or a surprising fact, to grab readers’ attention. This is referred to as the lede. Then the article will develop by putting the news in context and answering the questions who, what, when, where and why. This is known as a ‘nut graph’ and it is an essential part of any news article.

Once the main points of the news have been explained, a final paragraph will sum up the article. This is often a restatement of the lead, or a statement indicating any possible future developments that are likely to occur. A good conclusion will finish with a brief paragraph that gives credit to the source of the news article. It is not good practice to share unsubstantiated or controversial news on any social media platform. Instead, it is better to focus on sharing information that is accurate and well researched. This will ensure that the information you are spreading is credible and worthwhile.