News is information about current events that is reported in newspapers, magazines and on television and radio. It can also be found on the internet and is often presented in a chronological order. News is a major source of information about the world and its inhabitants, and it can influence the opinions of citizens. It is often a source of entertainment for those who are interested in politics, religion, business, sports and the environment.
In the past, people passed on news about events by word of mouth, but modern technology has changed the way that news is transmitted and consumed. In the 21st century, many of the major news sources are websites and social media networks such as Facebook and Twitter. In addition, there are local news aggregators that collect information from various news outlets and present it in one place.
A good news article will include the ‘5 Ws’: who, what, when, where and why. The writer should also include background information on the story that explores its wider implications. The information could be in the form of quotes from those involved or opinions from industry experts. It is also helpful to have photographs and other visuals to add credibility and authenticity to your article.
Another important consideration when writing a news article is to include human interest. This is because the majority of people are interested in other people’s lives and are captivated by stories that touch upon the voyeuristic part of their personalities. This is why stories about murders, accidents and break-ins generate more attention than stories about charitable donations or crossword puzzles.
It is also important for a news article to have an element of surprise and contrast. These qualities make it more likely to be shared and discussed on social media sites, where people are able to discuss the news and form their own opinions about it.
Finally, it is important for a news article to be factual. This is because most reputable news organizations, especially those that publish in print, have to adhere to a high standard of accuracy, or they will lose subscribers. It is also useful for the reader to be able to rely on the information in a news article to be accurate, because it will help them make informed decisions about their own lives and their community.
The role of news is to inform and educate the public about their communities, their country and the world around them. It can also entertain, but this is more the role of other forms of media such as music and drama on radio and TV or cartoons and crosswords in newspapers and magazines.