News is the information that is broadcast to inform the public about a current event. It can be delivered over radio or television. In the 21st century, news is also increasingly distributed through social media platforms. As with any form of communication, the content of news can be different in different societies.
News has several positive effects. It makes people aware of what is happening around them, helping them become more informed. However, it can influence the public in negative ways as well. This can range from spreading communalism to preaching nationalism. The values of news are contested, especially in the context of arbitrary factors, such as subjective influences.
Various social and political pressures influence the content of news. These include the level of interest in an event, its perceived significance, and the degree of loss of life. For example, an assassination of a famous person is significant, but the same event may have little or no impact on readers if it happened weeks ago.
Traditionally, there has been a battle between men who make and report news. However, the line between the professional and amateur has begun to blur in the media. Nowadays, journalists prescribe a set of guidelines for judging news, which can be viewed as a more objective approach.
According to the Mirror Model, news should reflect reality. It is also considered to be an effective instrument in development. It is believed that news helps people know more about government policies. Another model, the Organizational Model, focuses on applying pressure to governmental processes.
However, there is also an element of surprise in a news story. It is expected to be surprising, but it can also have a humorous or entertaining element. Entertainment stories often involve human interest, animals, and showbusiness.
Despite its ability to attract consumers, news is not always factual. Many consumers assume that the first news article they come across is accurate. Consumers do not have the time or energy to check websites for accuracy. Thus, it is important to be sure that the news is reliable.
Ultimately, it is up to the journalist to decide whether the news is worth reporting. Before publishing a story, the journalist checks to ensure that it is fair and credible. Journalists also need to ensure that the story is about people.
The news value of an event can vary depending on whether it is exclusive or not. Exclusive news is stories that are created or obtained by the media organization itself. A news story about an assassination of a politician would have higher news value than a story about a 90-year-old man who still walks to work.
Unlike the Mirror Model, the organizational model is based on applying pressure to governmental processes. While it may not have all the characteristics of the Mirror Model, it is a useful framework to help determine the impact of a story on readers.
Using the Organizational Model, it is possible to compare the way that news is identified in different societies. For example, if a news article identifies the same event as being a coup d’etat in a neighboring country, it is still a major news story.