News is information about events that affect the world, its people and their interests. It is usually published in newspapers, magazines or on the internet. News articles should be well written and factual. They can include interviews with people involved in the story. They should also be unbiased. A good way to learn about writing news is to study the work of journalists or to read other newspaper articles. It is important to know the audience you are writing for because this will determine the tone and style of the article.
News can be interesting, amusing, educational or dull. It is the job of the media – newspapers, radio and television – to inform and educate their readers, listeners or viewers. They can entertain as well, but this is not their main role – it is done by music and drama programmes on radio and TV, and crosswords and cartoons in newspapers.
The news that is most likely to interest the majority of people is the kind that changes their daily lives. The weather, wars and other major events qualify as news. It is also of interest when something happens that has not happened before, although it may have been forecast. Scientific discoveries, especially those that affect humans, also make the news. For example, an insect living on a plant that it has never before inhabited might be newsworthy in a specialist magazine but not in a general newspaper.
In addition to informing and educating the public, the news is often a watchdog and exposes abuses of power or wrongdoing. It can influence government policy and legislation. It can also be used to promote political change by demonstrating the effects of one course of action over another.
It is a difficult task for governments to stop the spread of news about their regimes or policies because of modern communications technology, such as the Internet. However, it is still possible for them to shut down local papers and radio stations and prevent broadcasts from being transmitted to other countries. The Internet also allows citizens to report on and discuss the news.
The most important thing to remember when writing a news article is to check the facts before publishing. Incorrect information can cause a great deal of damage and could discredit the journalist. The writer of a news article should also aim to write above the fold, in other words, ensure that the most important facts are on the front page. This will encourage the reader to continue reading. It is also helpful to write in a chronological order and to use the inverted pyramid format. This will help the reader to identify the key points and find out more about the subject. It is also important to follow up any main points with additional information and quotes from interviewees. This can help to add a personal touch to the article and further engage the reader. This can be especially effective if the source is someone who has a direct connection to the topic.