News is current or recent events, which are of interest to the general public. They are reported on the radio, TV or newspaper and can also be shared via social media. Often, News articles will focus on a specific aspect of a bigger story, for example, a fire that occurred in one location and the impact this had on the people who live there.
To be considered News, an event must be new and unusual. It must also be interesting and significant. Something that is old cannot be news, for example the assassination of Mrs Gandhi was not new but if some facts about this were revealed for the first time then it could be news.
It is important to source the five Ws – who, what, where, when and why when writing a News article. This will help readers to understand the event/news more thoroughly. Having this information will also allow readers to form their own opinions about the subject matter.
Unlike local newspapers, national papers tend to report on events that affect the wider population. This means that they are likely to cover things such as international crises, wars and sporting events. Having a large audience to appeal to, it is also common for national publications to feature celebrities and high profile individuals. These stories are often based on controversy, scandal or behaviour that goes against society’s generally accepted norms. Examples of this include famous people falling out with each other, their finances, health problems and even their sex lives.