News is information about recent events, things that were not known to everyone, and information that is new. It is reported in various media formats, including newspapers and magazines, as well as on radio and television.
News Characteristics
The most important characteristic of news is that it is current, meaning that it has occurred recently or is the latest information about something that has happened. In order for an event to be considered news, it has to have the potential to affect people’s lives or their world view in some way.
Other news characteristics include drama and consequence. A story about a walk to school and the discovery of baby tigers would be a good example of drama and consequence, as it deals with animals that are vulnerable to human carelessness.
Opinionated sources of news are also a good source of information for many people, as they can provide an additional perspective on a topic. However, it is important to read the facts first before deciding to use opinionated media.
Newspapers, magazines and other print media are all different and tend to appeal to different types of readers. They may appeal to logic and reason, or they might be more interested in emotion.
It is important to be aware of the selection process that is involved in choosing what stories get published in newspapers and other print media. This decision has been described as probably as important or perhaps more important than what’really happens’, when it comes to determining whether or not an event becomes news (Westerhahl and Johansson 1994).