What Is News?
News is a report on current events that affect people in one way or another. The main aim of news is to inform and educate, so that readers can make informed choices about the issues they face.
A news story should be based on the factual record and be accurate in its portrayal. It should also be unbiased and not seek to promote a particular viewpoint. In addition, a news article should be clearly written and contain no errors. It should also be readable and not use technical terms or jargon that will exclude readers who are not familiar with the topic. It should be written in a clear, concise style and should have a snappy headline that conveys the main message of the story.
The newsworthiness of an event depends on the extent to which it is new, unusual, interesting, significant or about people. For example, the assassination of Mrs Gandhi may meet all five criteria, but it cannot be considered newsworthy if it is not reported for the first time. On the other hand, a coup d’etat in the country next door is very much newsworthy.
It is usually the case that things that are ordinary and everyday do not make the news. For example, a man getting up in the morning, eating breakfast and going to work on the bus is not very exciting. However, if that same man is 90 years old and still catching the bus to work, then that becomes newsworthy.
Generally, the more controversial and sensational a story is, the more likely it will be reported. This is because it will arouse interest and readership, and as a result will be more successful at attracting advertising.
In general, the more people involved in a news story the more important and interesting it is. This is because it increases the likelihood of different viewpoints being offered, which in turn helps to elucidate and inform the reader. In addition, the more significant a person is, the more influential his or her views will be.
Writing for the web is a distinct skill set that should be learned and practiced. The inverted pyramid format should be employed, with the main points forming a ‘bucket’ at the top of the pyramid. Using keywords and phrases that have been searched by previous users of the website is an excellent way to attract attention. Similarly, using the names of well-known figures is good for SEO (Search Engine Optimization) purposes and increases the chances that search engines will pick up the story.
Identify the demographic for your news story. This can often be gleaned from your location or the publication you’re working for, but should be narrowed down further if possible to give your article a sense of direction. For instance, if you’re writing an article on zoning laws for your local paper, then the most important demographic to target will be those who live in your area and have an interest in the subject matter.