News is information about current events, conveyed through word of mouth, printed media (broadsheet, tabloid and magazine publications), radio broadcasting and electronic communication. News can be objective or subjective, depending on the angle from which it is viewed. In general, the news is a report of what has happened, with particular emphasis on those matters of importance to society and its members.
The deciding factor in what is considered newsworthy is usually the degree to which it meets five criteria: novelty, extent, timeliness, prominence and significance. An event must be new, unusual, interesting, significant and about people for it to be newsworthy. However, it is important to remember that the same event occurring in different places can have quite different news values. For example, a coup d’etat in your country is going to be much more newsworthy than one in the neighbouring country.
While it is difficult to define what exactly makes something newsworthy, research has identified several theories of news-ness, which capitalize on the fact that people are generally able to provide qualitative judgments about whether specific examples meet these criteria. These theories are often based on the concept of the “newsworthiness filter” and the mental schema that individuals have about what should be newsworthy.
In addition to ensuring that the basic facts of the story are included, it is important that the writer include quotes from individuals who have been involved in the events covered in the news item. This gives a personal touch to the article and can be particularly effective when the quote has been made by someone who is well-known or respected in the community.
Another important aspect of news writing is the use of photographs. These can be particularly effective in illustrating the news item and can also help to attract readers’ attention. When possible, it is advisable to obtain permission from the people who appear in the photograph before publishing them.
Once an article has been written, it is laid out on dummy pages and then passed to the chief editor for approval. When it is approved, the writer’s name appears in a byline alongside the article.
The final step is to distribute the news to readers. This can be done by distributing the newspaper or newsmagazine, sending it through electronic means such as e-mail or posting it on the Internet.
The main goal of any news organization is to produce newsworthy articles and stories that appeal to its audience. This can be done by focusing on a specific demographic, such as a geographic area or a group of interest. For example, if a newspaper or website maintains an online presence in Kansas City, the target demographic may be realtors and business owners in the city. Alternatively, the website or newspaper can focus on an interest such as sports. If the topic is popular, it can draw a large audience. However, if the topic is controversial, it can create an emotional response in the audience that could lead to boycotts or even outrage.