News is a form of information that presents current and interesting events in a fast, accurate and objective manner. It is transmitted through various means, such as television, radio and newspapers. The news may cover a variety of topics, including wars and battles, political events and elections, celebrity gossip, weather conditions and natural disasters. News can also be entertaining, e.g., through music and drama programs on radio or cartoons and crosswords in newspapers.
People are interested in stories about themselves and others, which is why most news is people-based. News often focuses on famous or influential people, but it can also include less well-known individuals or groups. News is of particular interest when it highlights a person’s rise or fall in the world of politics, business, entertainment and so on. People are also interested in the health of themselves and others, so news about drugs, treatments, hospitals and clinics, diseases and illnesses and diet are often prominent features of the news.
It is important to note that not all news is necessarily factual and may be biased in one way or another. It is also important to read multiple sources of news in order to get a more balanced view of a situation. This will help to avoid being taken in by extreme bias, misinformation or outright lies. It is also a good idea to avoid sensational headlines, which are often designed to catch the attention of readers or viewers.
Most people agree that the main job of news is to inform and educate its listeners, readers or viewers. However, it can also entertain them – through drama and music programmes on radio or TV; cartoons in newspapers; and sports, fashion and entertainment news. A common misunderstanding is that if something happens which is not related to a political or military issue it cannot be called “news”. This is not true; all sorts of things can be considered as news, from a new restaurant opening to the death of a celebrity.
An event must be unusual or interesting to be newsworthy. It must also be important, so that people want to hear about it. If, for example, scientists report that an insect has been found living on a plant which it did not previously inhabit, this is not likely to be of much interest to anybody but specialist scientists or enthusiasts.
In general, it is better to write a news story using quotes from the people involved rather than inserting your own opinions. This makes it more authentic and also helps the reader to relate to the event. It is best to follow the inverted pyramid structure when drafting an article, putting the most important details first and then following up with further information. It is also a good idea to use full names for first references and only initials for subsequent mentions in order to avoid confusing the reader or jarring them out of the flow of the article.