How to Write a Good News Article
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News is an announcement of important events. It is usually published in newspapers, magazines, radio and television. The purpose of news is to inform, educate and entertain. The entertainment aspect of news is provided by music and drama programs on radio and television, and cartoons and crossword puzzles in newspapers. It is the job of journalists to report facts without personal bias.
A good news article starts with an interesting hook that draws the reader into the story. This is often a dramatic anecdote, a surprising fact or breaking news. The next section of the article is called the nut graph and it tells readers what the news is about. It also answers the five W questions – who, what, when, where and why.
The rest of the article should provide details about the news, using quotes from sources and including information such as dates and times. It is important to give the reader an overall picture of what is happening and why it is newsworthy.
What makes something newsworthy can differ between societies. For example, the death of a celebrity may not be big news in one country but is very big news in another. The same event may be newsworthy in different countries if it is of international significance, such as a coup or a war. The majority of news stories are about people, however. This is because human life is fascinating, and even everyday events can be newsworthy if they are unusual, involve violence or scandal or affect a large number of people.
When deciding what to print or broadcast, media outlets must weigh the public’s interests against their own resources and budget. They must decide whether to focus on local, national or world events. They must also consider whether to present a positive or negative view of the news. They must balance the need to sell to a broad audience with the need to remain impartial and accurate.
A key factor in the choice of news stories is the use of market research to determine what the public wants to hear about. Some critics of the media argue that this process is biased and based on profit rather than what is important to society.
When reading the news, it is essential to be sceptical. When in doubt about a piece of news, it is useful to open a second, empty tab on the same browser and check its claims. This will help to avoid being swayed by emotionally driven arguments or manipulated by propaganda and bullshit. It is also worth looking at the author’s credentials and organizations as a means of checking credibility. It is a good idea to avoid sharing news on social media unless it has been checked for accuracy. In general, a reputable resource will adhere to the Associated Press’s guidelines for journalism and the Society of Professional Journalists’ Code of Ethics. The Internet offers a variety of information and many of these resources are free to access, so it is worth taking the time to find one that you trust.