News is information about current events, developments, and issues that occur locally, nationally, or internationally. It keeps the public updated on a wide variety of topics, including politics, economics, science, culture, and sports. News also serves as a watchdog, investigating and exposing corruption and wrongdoing and promoting transparency. News can also encourage debate and discussion by presenting different viewpoints and facilitating dialogue. It can mobilize public opinion and support for social change by raising awareness of important issues, and fostering activism.
Identifying what is newsworthy can be difficult. The classic definition is that something must be unusual or significant. However, what is considered unusual varies from society to society. For example, a man waking up and eating breakfast or going to work on the bus does not make news because it is an ordinary activity. It is only when something extraordinary happens that it becomes newsworthy, such as the assassination of Gandhi.
Developing a good news article requires extensive research. Writers should have a clear understanding of their audience and the purpose of the article in order to determine what information is most important to include. The article should start with the most important information, and build upon it with additional details. It is also important for writers to know where their information came from, such as interviews, court records, or the Census. This allows them to cite their sources and ensure that their information is accurate. This is called “fact checking” and is a critical part of the news writing process.