News is current information about events that happened or are happening. People can get news by word of mouth, through writings on paper, through printing, postal systems, broadcasting and electronic communication. News is often called hard news, which means it has more of an objective and factual content than soft news, which has more of a subjective and opinionated content.
News is a topic of interest to people around the world and in all walks of life. It is often considered to be important, especially if it involves wars, politics, business, education, environment, health and social matters. People also enjoy stories about fashion, entertainment and sports. They like to know about new things that are happening around them, and they want to be kept up-to-date with the latest trends in everything from music to theatre and carving.
The main elements that make up a news story are:
Controversy: People like controversies because they generate interest and excitement. They may contain arguments, charges and counter-charges, fights and tension.
Prominence: People are interested in the lives of famous persons. They like to know what they do, where they go and who they meet.
Currency: Events that happen now are of interest to people. They are called current affairs. It is for this reason that the weather, train timetables and obituaries are reported on in newspapers.
Educational Values: News items can be of a educative nature too. They help people to become aware of what is happening in the country and around them. They also let them know about various opportunities for higher studies and career options.
Exclusivity: News articles that are generated by, or available first to the news organisation, have a high degree of exclusivity and attract the attention of readers. They can include exclusive interviews, reports of investigations, surveys and polls, or revealing and dramatic photographs or videos that are likely to capture the attention of viewers on social media.
Before publishing any news item, journalists check it for accuracy and fairness. They try to ensure that the news they publish is without any personal bias and that it is as balanced as possible. They are also aware of the importance of delivering the news to their audience in an objective manner, and they take care not to inflame the emotions or prejudices of the readership. This helps in building the credibility of a newspaper as well as its journalistic integrity. The same is true for the online publication of news. Readers should be able to identify the purpose of a news article: is it to inform, change their view or behaviour, sell something and promote a brand (opinion piece) or is it simply to provide general background on an event (news report). They should read a mix of local publications and international news providers to develop a well-rounded opinion on any given issue. In addition, they should be able to identify what their own prejudices are and if any of the news they are reading is biased or not.