News is a form of journalism that is intended to spread information quickly and accurately. The content of news is influenced by many factors. First, news stories must be short and concise because they are reported moments after they occur. Second, news must be relevant to the audience. Its purpose is to inform the audience about a particular issue or event, whether good or bad.
Third, news sources offer insights that scholarly sources might not be able to provide. They provide insight about what people were thinking or feeling around the time of an event. They can also give insight into prevailing attitudes at the time of the event, which can be especially useful if an event has occurred in the past. In addition, news sources can provide historical information as well as breaking news. The news is transmitted in many formats, from print newspapers to the Internet.
News is not always true, but it can inspire, educate, and illuminate people. It also represents advertising. It does not necessarily change the world. NBC News, for example, did a long story on a United Nations operation in Somalia. The German air force proved to be far more effective at delivering aid than American forces, but few U.S. readers or Americans learned about this work.
Besides being accurate, news should be interesting and memorable. For example, a story about a couple getting married could be news. It could also be about a presidential race.