News is the information that people hear about, read about or see on television, radio and the Internet. Traditionally, news has been transmitted through newspapers, but the Internet is now a major source of news.
Choosing the Right Sources of News
One important factor to consider when choosing news sources is the quality of the reporting. The most trustworthy news sources will provide a good balance between accuracy and a rounded view of the story.
Objectivity and Fairness are also essential qualities of news journalism. This is especially true for online and digital media, which can be more susceptible to manipulation than print or broadcast media.
Timeliness is another important characteristic of news. When editors and news directors decide what will be in the news, they take timeliness into account.
Prominence, Currency and Oddity
If a celebrity, prominent person or an unusual event causes concern for the public, it becomes news. It may be a controversy, a conflict or a fight between two groups of people.
Emotion: Stories of human interest or those that cause emotional discomfort or pain are also popular news topics.
Depending on the news medium and audience, editors and news directors use their experience, judgment and resources to select what will be published in the newspaper, on TV or on the Internet. These decisions are called “gatekeeping” and involve a complex process of balancing intrinsic news values against practical considerations such as resources and time.