News is information about events that affect the public, and it can be delivered in a variety of ways. The media that report news include newspapers, magazines, radio, television and the Internet. The aim of news is to educate and inform the public about important events. While there is often an element of entertainment in news, the main purpose of news is to provide a factual record of current events and to promote discussion.
The development of new communication technologies has radically changed the way that we receive and share news. In the past, new stories could only be written and published if a reporter physically brought them into a newspaper or magazine office or if they were transmitted over wire services. Today, breaking news is delivered instantaneously to consumers through cable TV and the Internet. As a result, demand for fast-breaking accounts of major events has never been greater, and the temptation to cut corners has also never been stronger. This course introduces tomorrow’s journalists to the fundamental skills that enable them to identify a story and its essential elements, gather information efficiently, place it in a meaningful context and write concise and compelling accounts of events at breakneck speed.
A good news article contains a lead that sets the stage for the rest of the piece and tells readers why this is an important event or development. Then the article must present the relevant facts in an order that is logical and easy to follow. It is also helpful to use a visual aid, such as a diagram or graph, to make the facts easier to understand. Finally, a good news article includes a summary of the most important points and a list of sources in a works cited section at the end.
Crime: All crimes are newsworthy, but some are more interesting than others. For example, robbery, burglary, murder and terrorism are all high-profile crimes that attract the attention of the media, but everyday petty crimes such as traffic violations or forgery may not generate much interest. Money: People are always interested in how rich or poor they are, and stories about fortunes made and lost are newsworthy. They are also interested in money-related issues such as taxation, school fees, salaries, the budget and compensation claims.
Health: Stories about traditional remedies, medical research, diseases and hospitals are newsworthy. They are also interested in stories about healthy lifestyles such as diet and exercise. Sex: All societies are interested in sex stories, especially when they involve behaviour that goes against society’s generally accepted norms.
All good news articles should be objective and free of personal bias. They should provide enough information that the reader can form their own opinion on a topic, even if it is a different one to the author’s. A good way to achieve this is to follow a range of different news outlets and to consider how each views the same story from an opposing angle.