What Is News?

News is information about current events, often broadcast in the form of radio, television or a newspaper. It may also be transmitted via the Internet, email or other means. People are interested in news because it allows them to keep up to date with what is happening in the world around them. News also keeps them informed and can help them make decisions. There are many different types of news, and each type appeals to a different audience.

A story is news if it meets five criteria: It must be new, unusual, interesting, significant and about people. The more of these criteria a story meets, the more likely it is to be interesting and significant.

The most important factor in deciding what is news is whether or not it affects the lives of people. A crash on the freeway, for example, would be of interest to most people because it is likely to affect their commute home. The death of a celebrity or politician is also likely to be newsworthy, as it is of direct concern to those who have been affected by that person’s actions.

Similarly, an insect that threatens people’s crops is of interest because it could affect their ability to feed themselves. A flood or drought would also be newsworthy, as it could lead to food shortages and price rises. People are also interested in what other people are thinking and saying about newsworthy events. If a celebrity makes an unpopular decision, it will be reported in the media, and this will influence other people’s opinions of that celebrity.

People are interested in sports and entertainment news as well. The results of major sporting events, such as football matches or races, are usually big news. Celebrity gossip and rumours also makes news, as does information about new products or trends in the fashion industry. People are also interested in political events, such as a coup or elections.

Most news stories are geared toward a particular demographic, and it is important for writers to know their target audience. Often, this is easy to determine by the location of the event or news item. For example, a story about an incident in Kansas City will be of interest primarily to people in that area. However, other times the demographic can be more difficult to determine. For example, a story about an economic development initiative in a specific commercial area will be of interest to developers and business owners.

Using the news to learn English is an excellent way to improve your listening skills. Beginner students should start by watching short news clips on topics that are familiar to them, such as local news. As you progress, you can move on to more complex topics and international news. A good idea is to find a source of news that is considered to be relatively unbiased. A site such as PressReader has a huge database of newspapers and magazines from all over the world, which can be searched by language and topic.