News is information about current events, including politics, business, education, science and the environment. It also includes celebrity gossip and sports. It can be found in newspapers, magazines, radio and television. It can also be found on the Internet. The news media in America has grown to include a wide array of local outlets, new media and specialty news sites. The resulting mix can be confusing for the average consumer.
To be considered newsworthy, a story must be new, unusual, interesting and significant. But what exactly defines “significant” and “unusual”? This can vary from one society to the next. For example, a farm wall collapsing and killing a cow but not a pig will be of different interest in societies that view cattle and pigs differently.
It is important to stay up-to-date on news at all levels, from international affairs to governmental, regional and local. However, consuming too much news can lead to stress and burnout. It is vital to find a balance and limit your exposure.
News stories often contain facts, figures and statistics to add credibility. These are usually painstakingly gathered and checked before being reported. However, if the facts are not checked correctly they can become misleading or even false. Students should find a news article that uses data and write a short memo analyzing how the data is presented.