News is a current or recent event or development that is significant or interesting enough to merit being told in a newspaper, on radio or television or over the internet. The goal of journalism is to inform the public about the world in which they live and encourage them to participate in a democratic society. While financial pressures and ethical dilemmas often shape the content of news stories, this overarching goal solidifies news reporting as a quasi-public good. Furthermore, efforts such as the COVID-19 pandemic have heightened awareness of journalists’ responsibility to keep the public informed and have highlighted the importance of the press in society.
What makes something newsworthy is not universally agreed upon and may vary from one culture to the next. Historically, people have transported news orally and later written it down on paper. In the modern era, technology has greatly improved the speed and scope of transmission of news and has made it more accessible to a wider audience.
The classic definition of news is “Dog bites man” but this does not necessarily hold true – what is a dog’s natural behaviour in a particular society may be newsworthy but in another, it is not. Also, a human doing something that is unusual for that society may not be considered newsworthy.
When writing a news article, start with a short lead or teaser that grabs readers’ attention and provides a clear summary of the story. Then add details about the subject and provide quotes from sources who are knowledgeable about it. This will help you write a story that is accurate and interesting to the reader. It is important to note that a news article should not contain the reporter’s opinions, as these will be seen as biased.
As you work on your news story, it is a good idea to organize the information in an inverted pyramid format, with the most critical pieces of information in the first paragraphs and then more details further down. This will ensure that the reader sees the most important information before they get bored or distracted.
A news story is not complete without a detailed description of how the event or development happened and how it affected the participants. This is important because it helps the reader understand what the writer is trying to tell them and why the event or development is significant. It is also necessary to include any relevant background information that may be helpful in putting the story into context, such as the location where it occurred or how long it has been ongoing.
All sources should be credited in the article, whether it is an interview with a source or information from a government report. The source should be named and it is preferable to use direct quotes rather than paraphrasing them. Finally, a conclusion should be included that explains how the event or development has changed or will change the lives of the participants involved in it.
