News is a form of communication that reports on new events and trends in the world. It can be reported by people, or made by non-human sources. However, a news story must be unique, interesting, and significant to be deemed useful. In addition, it must be fair and accurate.
A news story is typically about a person, something that is unusual, or an event that is notable. This may include something like an assassination or a crime. People like to see controversies among nations, and confrontations between groups. There are also stories about health and money. Money stories are about topics such as school fees, taxes, and fortunes made and lost.
Usually, a story has to be reported quickly, or it won’t make the news. Having a well-known person involved in an event is also a good way to attract attention. If a prominent figure falls from power, it can have a big impact on the news.
Often, an unexpected event creates the most interest. Something like a coup in a neighboring country or an unusual crime might make a bigger splash. Likewise, a crop harvest size or a weather event may have an impact on daily life.
Another example is the news about a new beer brand. While a new beer may have an immediate impact on entertainment, it might not be relevant to the average reader. The same brand could have an impact on the arts, food, or health.
When reporting a new story, a reporter will generally aim to be objective and impartial. He or she will also seek to gain access to both sides of the issue. That’s because there are many governments that impose restrictions on the extent of bias that can be present in the news. For example, a government crackdown on a particular group of people might be a newsworthy topic.
In the United Kingdom, Ofcom enforces the requirement that broadcasters must avoid bias unless an editorial article is clearly labeled. An exception to this rule is if the program is clearly identified as being a political or religious discussion.
Feature articles can be more creative than news articles, and often include profiles of actors or media experts, evaluations of the media, and how-to guides. These kinds of articles inform the reader about recent events, while providing context and background information.
Weather is an important subject for many. Unusually low or high temperatures can have an impact on daily lives. Other topics that are of interest include disease and medical research, and diet and lifestyle.
Depending on the society you live in, the content of the news may vary. For example, a coup d’etat in your own country might be the most important news of the year, but a robbery in a grocery store won’t make the news. But the assassination of Mrs. Gandhi is an important news item.
Even if an event has happened weeks ago, it might still be a worthy news story. Similarly, an event that occurred a few years ago might still be considered a major news story today.