News is current information about events, whether they be global or local. It is transmitted via radio, television and the Internet. This information can be objective or subjective. It can be reported by journalists or by members of the public.
In the past, newspapers were the main source of news. Today the Internet is a significant source. Online news aggregators like Google News share articles from multiple sources and use algorithms to decide what is most relevant to you. This can be useful if you are trying to get a broad perspective on a subject without having to visit many different websites.
When writing a news article, it is important to grab the reader’s attention. This is known as the lede. The best way to do this is by using a dramatic anecdote or surprising fact. Then the story needs to answer the reader’s questions: who, what, where, when and why. Finally, the story should have a strong conclusion that restates the leading statement and offers a glimpse into future developments.
News stories are usually short because they occur very early in the Information Lifecycle, just moments after an event happens. This means that only the most significant or interesting events get reported. The rest get pushed aside. For example, a big fire might dominate the front page of a newspaper while a girl going to school will appear on an inside page and might not be reported at all if it is not considered to be important enough.
Generally, the government initiates most of the news stories. However, interest group figures can also make news. For example, a peasant farmer might not care about an insect but if that bug is destroying their crops then they may become concerned. Similarly, the views of influential people such as an archbishop might affect the policy of the church and therefore become newsworthy.
If you are looking for unbiased news then consider turning to international sources for your information. For example, if you live in the US then reading international newspapers might help you see a wider variety of perspectives on a particular issue than your own local news outlet. You should also look at news outlets that specialize in explanatory journalism rather than just reacting to news. These include VOX, Refinery29, The Skimm and Flare’s Explainer series.
When reading news on the Internet or in a magazine, remember to check the source and beware of clickbait. A sloppy website and highly emotive language might be a sign that the content is biased and does not reflect real world events. Look at how the information is presented: does it cite facts and figures from reports or studies? If so, check that these reports or studies have also been reported in other news sources. Also, consider whether the article focuses on one side of an argument or if it provides a balanced overview of the topic.