News is information about important or interesting events that have just happened, are happening right now, or will happen soon. It can be read on the internet or in newspapers, listened to on the radio or TV, or even overheard from someone else. News is most often a mixture of drama, action and intrigue but can also be informative or educational.
The best news articles have a strong lead and answer the basic questions of who, what, when, where and why. The lead should grab the reader’s attention and include a dramatic anecdote or surprising fact. The story then goes on to explain why the information is newsworthy and how it relates to the bigger picture. A good news story will end with a quote or statement by a person who is close to, or affected by, the event.
In the past, news was transmitted by word of mouth but with modern communication and espionage networks, it can be reported instantaneously from anywhere in the world. The speed and spread of news is greatly increased by social media platforms such as Twitter.
It is difficult for people to keep up with all the new information coming in daily. It is recommended that people intake information from multiple sources to help build context and avoid extreme bias. It is also a good idea to avoid sites that specialise in sensational headlines as they may contain misinformation or outright lies.