News is information about current events and affairs. It can be delivered in a variety of forms – through newspapers, magazines, radio and television – or by word of mouth. The main function of news is to inform and educate its audience about current issues/events. It can also entertain, but this should not be the primary function of news. The entertainment should come from other sources, such as music and drama on radio or cartoons and crosswords in newspapers.
The selection of what is newsworthy can be difficult. Inevitably, opinions and prejudices of journalists and of news outlets can affect what is reported. Even when a news story is objective and true, it may be presented in such a way as to bias the reader’s perception of the event. A biased presentation of a true event can be more disturbing than no presentation at all.
What is deemed to be newsworthy will vary according to social and cultural contexts. In some societies, stories about war and crime are the most important, whereas in others it is more important to stay informed about social events or health issues. The most important factor determining what is newsworthy appears to be whether the event or situation is unusual, significant or of interest to the audience.
As the world becomes more interconnected, it is becoming increasingly possible for a person in one country to be aware of events in another. This means that news of a tragedy in one place can travel much faster and be disseminated to a larger audience than in the past. This is also facilitated by the fact that it is now easier to transmit information via electronic devices, such as mobile phones, than in the past through paper documents.
A person’s name should be included in a story, particularly if it is of personal interest to them. The use of first names and initials is preferable to full names, especially if the person’s real name is not known. It is important to spell out a person’s age when this is relevant. People’s occupations should be clearly stated, and their education should be indicated where applicable. It is also advisable to avoid using abbreviations such as ‘tr’ or ‘fr’ for places and countries, as this can cause confusion.
News is often dominated by international events. However, domestic events that affect the majority of the population are equally important. For example, national newspapers report on political scandals and elections as well as sporting events. They are likely to have a larger audience than local papers, which means they must cover a wider range of topics in order to appeal to the maximum number of readers.
It is vital to strike a balance between news consumption and its effects on your mental health. If you are too obsessed with the news, it can lead to stress, anxiety, exhaustion and sleep loss. This can reduce your ability to function and perform your duties as a citizen, so it’s important to find ways of managing your news consumption so that you don’t overdo it. It is also worth taking the time to consider your source and evaluating how credible they are before sharing a piece of news on social media or in an email chain. Unsubstantiated claims can spread rapidly and can mislead those who do not investigate further.