News is a type of media that reports current events as they happen. It is usually compiled and reported by journalists, but can also be written by citizens or any other interested parties. A wide range of subjects can be the subject of News, including politics, crime, war, social issues and science. News is often used to educate, inform or entertain, and may be partisan or neutral depending on the intent of the author. It is important to know your audience when writing News. Often times, it is geared toward a specific demographic, either geographically or based on the content of the story itself.
The word news comes from the Latin verb meaning “to hear” or “to be told.” It is a public communication of information that is timely and relevant to society. Historically, the development of news has occurred through oral transmission and print media such as newspapers and radio and television. New developments in technology have increased the speed at which news can be disseminated, as well as the number of people able to receive it.
News articles should be factual and include only information that has been verified as true. They should not contain personal opinions or editorials. The first paragraph of a news article should feature the most significant facts and seize reader interest. It should use an inverted pyramid format where the most important information is presented early on, and each subsequent paragraph provides less detail.
A news article should be written in third person unless there is compelling reason to change this. It is important to avoid jarring the reader by abrupt changes in person. It is also important to note that a person’s first name or initials should be used on first reference, rather than just a middle initial. In addition, a person’s name should be spelled out in full on all occasions, even if the article is printed in a small font.
Despite its ubiquity, the definition of what is considered news remains a subject of debate and dispute. Some academics argue that only those things that affect a large number of people qualify as newsworthy, while others argue that this view is too restrictive and that any event that causes controversy should be considered newsworthy. Still others point out that the nature of an event is what makes it newsworthy, and that the views of a particular group can influence whether a given event is considered important enough to be considered newsworthy.
Despite these arguments, it is widely accepted that the decision as to what constitutes news is made by the readers of the media in which it appears, not by the professional journalists who work for the media. The public decides what is and is not newsworthy based on their own interests, biases and knowledge. This view of news has arguably been the most influential in shaping what events are deemed worthy of being covered by the media. This, in turn, shapes the opinions and values of a society.