What Is News?

News

News is a term for information that people receive from sources like radio, TV, newspaper or the Internet. This information usually comes in the form of articles or stories and is generally about current events or recent history.

Often, newspapers cover important issues that are of importance to the local community, such as weather forecasts, train times and other public announcements. It also keeps the community informed about government policies and other relevant information that can affect their lives.

The Value of News

A news story is a piece of writing that informs readers about something recent, such as a crime or an accident. It should contain important facts and should not include tangents or filler that doesn’t add to the story.

It should be concise and easy to read, avoiding lengthy sentences and jargon that might turn off readers. It should also include relevant quotes, statistics or other forms of evidence that help to explain the news.

The News is an Informed and Critical Audience

News media have tremendous power to influence political and cultural narratives, and to shape audiences’ perceptions of what matters. An informed and critical audience challenges the media to be fair, independent and accurate.

This type of journalism should be free from conflicts of interest. The owners and sponsors of the media can have a lot of influence on the content that is produced by the media, which can make news coverage biased or inaccurate. It is crucial that you know who owns the media and if it is a private or publicly-owned organization.

In addition, it is important to be aware of who is responsible for making decisions about which stories to cover. This is especially important for politically-charged topics, such as a new police officer’s disciplinary record or a woman’s right to choose when it comes to abortion.

It is also important to be aware of the news values used by the news media, which can vary by medium and by the reader’s own values. These values can range from proximity (i.e., sharing news with friends) to conflict (i.e., news of an alleged crime).

Another type of news is feature journalism, which involves a more in-depth investigation into a topic, such as the plight of the homeless or an upcoming event, such as a concert. Unlike straight reporting, in-depth features are more creative and may involve interviews or additional research.

The news values analyzed by Galtung and Ruge are still valid in today’s context, but they are influenced by the changing landscape of news media and the rise of new technologies. Some values are less prevalent in the current media environment, such as exclusivity. Others are more widely valued, such as proximity and conflict.