News is information about a current event or situation. It can be about an important development, or it could just be something silly or funny that happened. It is usually delivered by the media – newspapers, magazines, radio or television – but can also be found online. It is important to understand that the media cannot be trusted to present only unbiased news, but it should be able to provide a range of different viewpoints on issues.

People – News stories are often about people, because it is the actions of people that can change the world. However, they can also be about non-human events, such as a cyclone, bush fire or earthquake. The most interesting or significant news events are often those that affect large numbers of people, such as an airplane crash or a murder trial.

Government – Government proclamations, laws, taxes and public affairs have been considered newsworthy since ancient times. However, technological and social developments have changed how the media covers these things. The internet has allowed for much more rapid and widespread dissemination of information, as well as the rise of bloggers who write about politics, culture and other topics without being affiliated with a particular news organization.

Education – News about schools, universities and other educational institutions is always of interest to parents and students. It can also include information about new initiatives, such as a program to encourage reading or a school that has won an award for environmental conservation.

Entertainment – Music, dance, theatre and cinema are all subjects that generate news stories. They may involve celebrities, local talent or just something happening that is worthy of comment. News about entertainment can also be informative if it highlights new trends or methods of performance, such as an innovative way to teach dancing or the launch of a new film.

Health – News about diseases and illnesses can be very serious, but it is also important to highlight positive health news stories, such as the discovery of a cure for a disease or a successful operation. This can help to lift the mood of the news audience and can have a very positive impact on their lives.

Sports – News about sports, games and other competitive activities can be very popular. This is because it is a form of entertainment that can be enjoyed by almost everyone, regardless of age or social background. It is a good idea to add some statistics at the end of any news story about sport, to show how far the event or achievement has come.

All sources of information should be credited in news articles, as well as the writer’s name. This allows the reader to assess the credibility of a given piece of news. For example, it is useful to know whether the information was gathered from an interview, official documents or from a Web site. The ability to quickly check facts online has made the internet a more reliable source of information than subscribing to a newspaper or watching television.