News is information that has been reported by the media – newspapers, magazines, radio and television. It is the job of journalists to inform their audience and educate them on current events. However, they also have a responsibility to entertain – through music and drama programmes on radio; cartoons in newspapers; and crosswords in magazines. It is difficult, if not impossible, for the media to please everyone, but they try to balance a number of factors in deciding which news stories should be given prominence. These include the magnitude of an event; whether it is local or national; if it involves public debate; and if it is significant or unusual.
It is important for news to be accurate, but it must not be biased. This can be difficult, because the journalist’s personal opinion will usually influence their selection of news items. This is especially true of political news, where a bias may be inadvertently created by the way an issue is presented. A journalist should avoid using personal opinions in their articles and, if they do include a quote from someone, it should be clearly labelled as a quotation.
People are interested in their fellow human beings, and this is reflected in the news that is printed and broadcast. There is a particular interest in those who are famous and in their private lives. Therefore, it is often newsworthy when these people do things which are considered to be wrong or immoral. For example, it is not unusual for the press to report stories about celebrity drug use, affairs or sex-related incidents.
The magnitude of an event is a key factor in determining its news value, and this can vary from one society to another. A murder, for instance, will generally be newsworthy if it is particularly shocking or gruesome, while an accident involving only minor injuries will not receive much attention.
Other factors which determine the newsworthiness of an event include its proximity, controversy and prominence. For example, an earthquake occurring in a nearby city will attract much more interest than an earthquake which happens in a distant country. Controversy is also important, as it can provoke an emotional response from the reader. Prominence is another factor, and this can include a high profile person being involved in the news or a prominent organisation.
In addition, the news must be timely, as this is what keeps people updated on what is happening in their own area and in the world at large. It is the role of the media to keep their audience informed, and this is why many people believe that they should have freedom of speech. This freedom is a vital part of democracy, and it must be protected by journalists who are impartial and not afraid to stand up for their principles. This is why the media is sometimes referred to as “the oxygen of democracy.”.