News is information about current events. It can be transmitted orally, through written media such as newspapers, magazines or letters, or electronically through television, radio and the Internet. It is an important part of communication in society and can be a source of entertainment.
A story about a natural disaster, a war or an accident may be regarded as News, but it will only be considered newsworthy if it is unusual, interesting and significant to the reader. This is what makes newsworthiness subjective. The way a story is presented is also critical to its newsworthiness.
Traditionally, the news was conveyed verbally by word of mouth and through the written media such as newspapers or magazines. However, advances in technology have made the transmission of news much faster and more efficient. The Internet has revolutionised the way we receive information, especially with social media such as blogs, Twitter and Facebook. It has also enabled new forms of media to form such as online gaming and interactive TV.
People are interested in different things, which is why the news is so diverse and varied. For example, some of the world’s most successful companies are born out of the ashes of failed enterprises, while other countries have some of the largest economies in the world. People are also interested in a variety of different issues, such as politics, business, war and crime.
In terms of content, the news can be divided into two categories: hard and soft news. Hard news is what goes on the front page of a newspaper, is featured at the top of a Web site or is reported first in a news broadcast. It usually deals with controversial or significant events such as a natural disaster, a murder or an accident.
Soft news is usually less sensational and more concerned with the general well-being of the population such as medical breakthroughs, peace agreements and economic success. People are also interested in celebrities, whether they be entertainers or sportspeople.
When writing a news article it is important to keep in mind that the audience will want to get the most relevant information as quickly as possible. This is why all of the best news stories are placed above the fold in a newspaper, or at the top of a Web page.
In addition to this, the way a story is written can affect its newsworthiness. For example, if a story sounds melodramatic and seems overblown it is likely to be dismissed as unnewsworthy. Another consideration is that the news must be able to be verified. This can be done either through direct observation or by analysing the structure of a piece of information.