News is information about current or recent events that affect people’s lives. It includes what is going on in their community, country and world. It can also include stories about health, religion, the environment, entertainment and sport. News is often reported on television, radio and the Internet.
What makes a story newsworthy? Factors that influence whether something is newsworthy are its impact, proximity, controversy and currency. Other factors include how it happened, how it has affected people and whether a famous person is involved.
Generally, a story is newsworthy if it has been widely reported and is about a topic of interest to many people. It is also important to remember that the news media may have their own biases which can influence what they report.
The type of content that is newsworthy can vary between different cultures and countries. For example, a story about a riot or war in one country might not be considered to be newsworthy in another country.
In a democracy, a free press is sometimes called the “oxygen of democracy”. A country’s democracy depends on the informed consent of its citizens and a free press that can present information without political or corporate interference.
Some people believe that the news media’sells’ news by telling stories that they know the audience will be interested in. While market research helps the news industry identify the right topics, journalists must apply their judgment to decide which facts should be emphasized in each story and how they should be presented.