News is the information that a newspaper or other publication selects for inclusion in its editions. It can be delivered on a daily basis (newspapers, daily supplements and tabloids), weekly, semi-weekly, fortnightly or monthly. News is transmitted through a variety of media, including the traditional broadcasting channels (television, radio and print) as well as internet-based social media, blogs, websites and aggregators.
The concept of what constitutes news varies widely depending on the culture and interests of the audience. However, there are some basic guidelines for what is considered to be newsworthy: It should be something new, significant and interesting; it should affect a large number of people or the whole population; it should provide a sense of urgency or be a major change in an established situation.
In addition, the newsworthy nature of an event may also be affected by the relative importance of the issue in a society. For example, a story about a farm wall collapsing and killing a cow and a pig will have different news value in two societies of very different sizes and with very different views on the relative status of these animals.
Other considerations are the speed with which the news happens; whether it involves violence, scandal or celebrity and how much of a local interest the subject has. For example, a story about riots or protests is generally less important than one about a sporting event, which will have greater significance in the lives of many readers.
The content of a news item is determined by a journalist’s or editor’s priorities and values, and reflects the ethos of the newspaper or magazine in which it is published. A newspaper or magazine may specialise in certain subjects, for example, sports, politics, entertainment or world affairs.
News is often written in the form of a story, but it can also take the form of an editorial or a feature article. A feature is a detailed article that provides a deeper insight into a specific topic, for example, an interview with a prominent politician.
Regardless of the format, news articles are usually written in such a way that they catch the attention of the reader and hold it, and they are often accompanied by photographs and other visuals. News is often written in short paragraphs with clear and concise language so that it can be quickly read, understood and remembered.
It is also important to note that all news sources have some sort of bias. Even if it is a “fair and balanced” or supposedly objective source, such as a government-owned media outlet, the news will still be influenced by its editors and producers’ own beliefs and values. For this reason, all news should be viewed critically and weighed for its merits, particularly in the light of its potential influences on public opinion.