What Makes News?
News is a type of information about current events. It can be distributed in many ways, such as through word of mouth, printing, postal systems, television and radio. People can also get news from the internet. It is important to note that not all news is true. News stories should be factual and unbiased. In most cases, the writer should not express their opinion in a news article. However, the author should provide enough information so that the reader can make their own opinion about the topic.
Whether an event is newsworthy depends on a variety of factors, such as its magnitude, surprise, conflict and exclusivity. Magnitude refers to how big an impact something has, while surprise is a factor that can increase the likelihood of a story being read. Conflict is another factor that influences newsworthiness; it can include things such as controversies, arguments, splits, strikes and warfare. Exclusivity is a factor that determines whether a story will be shared on social media sites, such as Facebook and Twitter.
When determining what makes news, it is important to understand how different cultures interpret what is important. For example, a news story about an earthquake in the United States will have more impact than an earthquake in China. This is because the United States has a large population and is more likely to be affected by an earthquake.
Another important factor when deciding what is newsworthy is how much interest an event generates in the society in which it occurs. For example, a story about a cow that has been killed will have more impact in a farm-based society than one that is city-based. This is because farmers have a strong connection to the animals they raise and their loss is a significant impact on their livelihoods.
A news article should answer the five Ws: who, what, where, when and why. It is also important to note that the stronger all of these elements are, the more newsworthy the story will be. A news article should also be interesting and significant, as well as able to tell a human story.
It is crucial to avoid filler, which is information that does not impact the result of the news story. In order to keep readers engaged, it is important to maintain a snappy headline and avoid overwriting. The story should also be based on an accurate account of the event, and include a quote from someone who was a direct witness to the event.
When quoting people, the writer should use their full first name or both initials for consistency. It is also important to use active language rather than passive language when referring to the person in question. For example, “Dr Jones used this equipment to study malaria” is more effective than simply stating, “Dr Jones studied malaria.” It is also important to avoid adjectives, as they can distort the meaning of a sentence and jar the reader. For example, ‘this equipment was used to study malaria’ is more effective than, “this equipment was utilised to study malaria”. This will also help readers remember the content of the article more easily.