News is the information that is conveyed to people about the world around them. It can be in the form of a story, report or broadcast and is often delivered via newspapers, magazines, radio, television and the internet. News usually concerns current events and is of high interest to the general population. It may involve politics, war, crime, education, health and the environment, but also more trivial matters such as new products, fashion, sport and celebrity. It is the job of the news media to inform, educate and entertain their readers, listeners and viewers. This can be done through drama, music and crosswords in newspapers and magazines; news, weather and sports programmes on TV; and breaking news on radio and the internet.
In the past, news was spread by word of mouth but the invention of writing enabled it to be recorded and distributed in a more organised manner. The development of printing technology further accelerated the dissemination of news. The advent of the Internet, mobile phones and social media has ushered in a new era for news. While it is relatively easy for governments to shut down traditional news channels, it has become more difficult to shut down online news sites and social media platforms.
The most important thing to consider when writing a news article is the facts. This means that you need to gather the key facts and understand what has happened. Once you have all the information, think about why it happened and how it affects the people involved.
Next, come up with a snappy headline that is both informative and attention grabbing. A catchy headline will grab the reader’s attention and encourage them to keep reading. A good news article will also have subheadings that will give the reader more detail about what has happened.
Finally, don’t forget to credit your sources. Always include the name and location of the source of your news so that the reader can check it out. This will avoid accusations of plagiarism or fabricated news.
The news industry is a global business. Many countries have their own national news agencies and each has its own style. These agencies are staffed by journalists who follow a strict code of conduct, which is based on the ethics of journalism.
When sourcing your news, remember that the majority of people only really want to know what is happening in their own country and community. Try to stay local if you can but don’t be afraid to look at global events. Also, try to balance your news consumption with “explainer” articles that take a step back and thoughtfully explain many sides of an issue. For example, VOX, Refinery29 and Flare’s Explainer series are great resources.