News is the broadcast of information about new events. Its content may vary in different societies. Nevertheless, news is an important instrument for development and can influence the public in positive or negative ways.
There are two main types of news stories: good news and bad news. Bad news has negative overtones, while good news has positive ones. However, a story must also be interesting and significant to the reader. Some examples of bad news include murder, suicide, or terrorism. On the other hand, some stories are just entertaining, such as the cartoons in newspapers or crossword puzzles in radio. Good news stories involve people and their personal lives.
Most news is about people. Athletes, celebrities, and politicians are often newsmakers, and the news value of a story increases when the person is well-known. For example, a crime committed by a prominent person is more likely to attract attention than an ordinary criminal. Also, a big loss of life or an unusual event creates greater impact for readers.
In addition to human interest, a news story should also have an element of surprise. This can be a humorous treatment, a witty headline, or some other feature. Moreover, it is essential to make sure that the news is true. If it is not, it can be dangerous for those who believe it.
While many news articles are about people, some are more about controversies. For example, the announcement of an archbishop’s view on a Church policy is a newsworthy story, while the death of a famous actor is not.
There are a few scholarly explanations for the values of news. One is the Political Model, which outlines that news represents various political pressures and ideological biases of the people. Another is the Mirror Model, which states that news should reflect reality. Lastly, there is the Organizational Model, which describes the process of applying pressure to government processes.
Some of the other types of stories that are newsworthy are entertainment, health, and money. Money stories involve such things as economic crises, wage rises, and compensation claims. Other examples of newsworthy entertainment are the shows and films of famous people. Entertainment can also include animals and showbusiness.
Weather is another subject of news. The weather can have unusual conditions that affect daily activities, such as low rainfall or high temperatures. Sex and sex issues are also newsworthy. Likewise, health stories can cover medical research, diet, and diseases. Besides, people are interested in things that can affect their health.
When choosing a story for publication, a journalist checks it for fairness and credibility. News should be concise, brief, and interesting. People like to know what is happening around them, especially when they are not in the same place.
If a news story is related to a controversy, people are interested in the confrontation. They are also interested in stories about confrontations among groups or countries. Similarly, a coup in a neighboring country can have an effect on the stability of a nation.