News is information about events, people or things that happen in a way that people find interesting or important. It may be about current or past events, and it can also include predictions about future happenings. The purpose of news is to inform, educate and inspire people. It is a vital part of democracy, because democracies depend on an informed citizenry. In fact, a free press is often called the oxygen of democracy, because it ensures that the public has access to fair and accurate information.
Ideally, news is presented without personal bias and is objective. This is particularly important in the case of news about controversial subjects such as politics and war. The goal is to present the facts about the subject so that readers can make up their own minds about it.
To be newsworthy, a story must fit one or more of the following criteria: impact, proximity, controversy and prominence. Impact is a measure of the effect a story has on the audience, including its ability to spark an emotional response. Proximity refers to how close a topic is to the reader or viewer. Controversy means that there is a debate about the issue, and prominence is measured by the level of recognition a person or event has in the community.
A story is also considered newsworthy if it has the potential to change people’s ideas or behavior. For example, a new treatment for a disease might be considered newsworthy if it is expected to save lives or improve health. Other examples include a new law that affects a large number of people, a major disaster or the resignation or defeat of a political leader.
The way that a story is written is also important for its newsworthiness. It must be concise and easy to understand. It should use short paragraphs and bullet points and provide a clear timeline of events. It should avoid excessive use of adjectives, which can be confusing for the reader. In order to get a feel for how to write news, it is helpful to read other examples or watch news broadcasts.
Finally, a good news story should have a strong concluding paragraph that is a restatement of the leading statement or a prediction about future developments relating to the subject. It is also important to cite any sources used in the article. This is especially important in case the article is to be published in a newspaper or on a website.
If you are overwhelmed or depressed by the amount of negative news that is out there, try seeking out stories that are positive and uplifting. Those can help you feel more hopeful and encouraged to keep fighting for your beliefs. To make it easier to consume these stories, consider signing up for a few enewsletters that will deliver a quick overview of the day’s top news. Try the Skimm, New York Times The Daily, Today Explained and Shit You Should Care About.