News is information about events in the world, about people or about organisations that is important and/or interesting to a reader, listener or viewer. News often contains facts, figures and opinions, but it can also contain a great deal of emotion and drama.
News has many different forms, such as newspapers, radio, television and the Internet. Generally, it is aimed at a specific demographic – for example, teenagers, adults or pensioners. News is usually published on a regular basis and may be updated as events unfold.
The news media is responsible for informing and educating its audience. It is not, however, the job of the news media to entertain its readers, listeners or viewers. Entertainment should come from other sources – for example, music and drama on the radio, or cartoons and crosswords in newspapers and magazines.
When deciding what is newsworthy, look for stories that are new, unusual, interesting, significant and about people. Some events are more newsworthy than others – for example, a coup d’etat in the country next door is a much bigger event than a burglary in the next town.
You should also look for news that challenges your existing beliefs. For example, if you are convinced that a particular trend is going to continue, go out of your way to read a counterargument. It will not only give you a better understanding of why the other side believes as they do, but it will also help to keep you from being blindly following fads and theories that have little chance of coming true.
It is important to remember that a story can be reported in a variety of ways and that a news event can be interpreted differently in different cultures or societies. This is because the importance and significance of an event can differ from one culture to another. For example, if a farm wall collapses, killing a cow and a pig but leaving a goat unharmed, it will be treated quite differently in two different societies.
It is also worth noting that most of the main news outlets, whether they are on TV or online, have some form of bias. This doesn’t mean that you should avoid them, but it is a good idea to balance your news intake with more cerebral sources like the New York Times and the Washington Post. It is also a good idea to follow sources that specialise in certain areas – for example, Bloomberg or CNBC for financial news. They will often report on events that other outlets haven’t picked up on. In addition, it’s a good idea to follow a few outlets that are known for their anti-bias and impartiality – like The Guardian or Newsweek. These can provide a welcome respite from the more sensational, politically biased news that can be found on sites like Fox and CNN.