News is current information about events, obtained quickly and accurately, and conveyed to the public. Historically, news has included information concerning wars and other international affairs as well as local issues. Government proclamations, royal ceremonies, laws and taxes, health and fashion have also been deemed newsworthy. The news media has a wide variety of formats including television, radio and the Internet. The news is often delivered by trained journalists whose job it is to gather, evaluate and present the most important and interesting events as they happen.
To capture the attention of readers, a good news story begins with an interesting hook or dramatic anecdote. Then it is necessary to provide a summary of the event or development that will answer the reader’s questions – who, what, where and when, as well as why. This is referred to as the “nut graph” and is a critical part of any news article. It is also the time to place the new developments in context and give readers a better understanding of the larger picture.
After the nut graph, the reporter can move on to more detailed reporting. This may involve interviews with key people involved in the situation as well as more background research. It is also a time to check the facts and verify that all of the information in the story is accurate. A good journalist always double checks his or her facts.
If the story is a breaking news event, it must be reported in a timely manner. This is why many journalists work for the major news organizations – they are trained to deliver up-to-the-minute reporting in an objective and timely way. Professional journalists will have more experience and access to a wider range of sources than the average citizen and are usually better equipped to report on complex or controversial issues.
However, it is important to have a diversity of news sources. Not all news stories are equal and some can be biased or skewed in their presentation. The news is not always objective and can have a very strong impact on the emotions of the reader. Some examples of this are sensational or over-dramatized reports and the use of emotive language to evoke specific reactions in the audience. It is also important to have a variety of news genres – hard news, features and personal opinions. All of these types can contribute to a well-rounded and balanced view of the world.