News is information about events which are important to a community. It is normally broadcast on radio, television and in print, but it can also be found on the Internet. The main reason for news is to inform, although it can also entertain. Entertainment usually comes from other sources – music or drama on radio, cartoons and crosswords in newspapers; but news can provide useful information which people would not find elsewhere.
How do journalists decide what is newsworthy? There are many different factors which can influence this. A news story needs to be new, unusual, interesting or significant, and it should involve people. But even if it meets all these criteria, the news story is not necessarily worth covering. For example, a bug may be important to a local farmer, but the fact that it is now threatening their crops may not be significant enough for a newspaper to write about. It is more likely to be important news if the bug has been discovered by an expert and it can be shown to be a serious threat.
A good news article starts with a snappy, catchy headline which concisely informs readers of the subject while seizing their interest. It should be written according to Associated Press style guidelines, unless the publication specifies otherwise. It should always include the byline, which is the name of the writer. Often the headline is written by someone other than the writer, but it can be helpful to have an extra pair of eyes on it before it goes to print.
The rest of a news article should be brief and to the point, giving all the important facts in as few words as possible. It should be written in an objective tone with no personal bias. However, the writer should be able to give some background and context to the story as well as an opinion. For example, a story about a fire could be followed up by an in-depth news feature which looks at the effects of the fire on those affected. It is also important to note that a good news article does not contain rumour or speculation, and should always be attributed to a source which can be verified.
It is important to balance the amount of news you consume with your mental health. Too much news can lead to stress, fatigue and poor sleep patterns. You should also avoid sharing news on social media if you have not read it and vetted the source. If you want to keep up to date with the latest news, it is best to subscribe to a few trusted publications or channels which are known for their quality journalism.