News is information about events, people or things that affect the life of a community. It is usually communicated through a newspaper, magazine or television show.
News articles should be written in an inverted pyramid style to keep the reader engaged, using short introductory paragraphs followed by more detailed, factual sections. It is a good idea to include background information about the topic and also quote sources for credibility. Having a clear understanding of the five Ws (who, what, where, when and why) helps ensure accuracy in a news article.
The timing of an event is a major factor in whether it is considered newsworthy. Large media sources tend to focus on current events because timeliness is important to their audiences. Events such as war, government, politics, education, health, business and the environment are common topics for news reports. A robbery in a local bank, the launch of a new computer operating system or an earthquake are examples of timely news stories.
Human interest is another factor that makes an event newsworthy. People are interested in other people and how they live their lives, so an article that reveals something unusual about a person is likely to appeal to the public’s voyeuristic instincts.
Most of the time, a news story will contain some element of celebrity. People are interested in what celebrities do, where they go and how they look. Celebrities are often the subject of a news story when they achieve success, fall from grace or are involved in scandals.
People are interested in the way that food and drink affect their health, so they read news articles about traditional medicines, medical research, diseases, hospitals and clinics, diet and exercise. They are also interested in the way that the weather impacts their lives, and they like to hear about weather events such as storms, floods and droughts.
An organisation’s activities may be newsworthy, especially if they are unusual or controversial. For example, a company may become the first in its field to develop a revolutionary new product. This could be a piece of news worth reporting, even if the company is unlikely to make any money from its invention. A company’s successes and failures can also be reported in the news, but it is essential to present these with honesty. If a company’s actions are seen as deceptive or dishonest, its reputation will be damaged and the public will lose trust in the news media. This can be difficult for a company to recover from. This is why it is a good idea for a business to establish a relationship with the local news media before there is any controversy. This will help the media to understand the nature of the company’s activities and avoid any negative coverage. If this is not possible, a business should have a backup plan to ensure that its press releases are received and published. This might involve appointing a public relations officer to handle all media enquiries or a designated spokesperson who can be reached in an emergency.