News is any information that affects the public. It may be broadcast on television or radio, printed in newspapers and magazines or even yelled across a classroom. It is usually something important, exciting or surprising and may change people’s lives. However, not all information is newsworthy. Only that which is new or unusual is likely to generate interest. Even then, it must be presented briefly so that readers can absorb it, clearly so that they can understand it and picturesquely so that they will remember it.
The news is the oxygen of democracy, it is said; but it must be free, impartial and independent. Democracies depend on the informed consent of their citizens, and the best way to achieve that is through a free press.
Whether an event is considered newsworthy is a matter of judgment, based on a number of factors. These include proximity, how many people are affected, how significant the event is and how controversial it is. It is also important to note that different societies will have their own view of what is important and therefore what makes news. For example, if an insect has been found living on a plant that it did not previously inhabit, this is probably newsworthy in a scientific journal but is unlikely to generate much interest in a general news broadcast or newspaper.
In a news article the most important facts should be given at the beginning of the story, followed by less important information in descending order. This technique is known as the inverted pyramid format and allows readers to get a quick overview of a news item. It also helps journalists avoid the trap of writing chronologically about an event (“this happened, then this happened”) which can bore and confuse readers.
Once the initial research is completed, the journalist must organize the material into a coherent article. This is done by using a news article outline which shows the structure of the story. It is often helpful to use the inverted pyramid model when creating a news article outline as it can help you stay on track with the most important points of the story.
After the outline is complete, the writer should prepare to interview sources to get more details about the event or happening. This can be done by telephone, email or face to face, and it is important for the journalist to disclose that they are a reporter in order to avoid any conflicts of interest.
After the final draft of a news article is written, it is important to read it through carefully to check for any errors. It is a good idea to ask another person to read it as well, as they can offer feedback on the style, clarity and factual accuracy of the article. Once the article is proofread and ready for publication, it is essential to cite any sources used in the article. Citations vary from one outlet to the next, but in most cases a list of references should be included at the end of the article.