News is information about current events that are important to the community. It can be reported in a variety of ways including in newspapers, magazines and radio. It can also be posted on websites and social media. News reports present a range of topics that are of interest to readers and listeners including crime, politics and weather.
The purpose of news is to inform, educate and entertain. The job of journalists is to ensure that the facts are presented in a fair and honest manner. It is not the role of journalists to promote a particular agenda or ideology.
A good news article begins with a catchy headline that is short and to the point. This is called a lede in journalism jargon and helps readers decide whether or not to read the entire story. The first paragraph of the article provides a preview of what is to come and includes many of the main facts.
After the lead, a news article must include all the major details that are important to the story. Generally speaking, these are things that are new or unusual. However, a story can also be about something that has happened in the past, but is particularly noteworthy because of its significance or impact. The final section of a news article should contain any relevant contact information and any additional facts that may be useful to the reader.
People are interested in news that affects them or the people they know. This is why local news is often more interesting than national or international news. News about schools, hospitals, police incidents and government decisions all have a direct impact on the lives of ordinary citizens. It is also important to remember that even if an event does not directly affect you, it may have an indirect impact. For example, if a disease spreads to your area it may influence the way you live or how you interact with others.
What is considered newsworthy varies from society to society. For example, a new insect that is affecting crops is important to farmers but may not be of concern to the average person. This is why it is important for journalists to be able to judge what is or is not newsworthy.
News also reflects the attitudes and beliefs of a society. This is why it can be interesting to examine the history of a particular society and how this influences its news reporting.
The Internet is a valuable tool for spreading news, especially in places where censorship is common. While it is relatively easy to shut down a newspaper, radio or television station, it is much harder to shut down the Internet. This has allowed journalists from around the world to report on events that would otherwise be unheard of.