News is information about events that are important or interesting to the people who read newspapers, listen to radio and watch TV. Events that are considered newsworthy include natural disasters, political scandals, wars, major accidents and the deaths of prominent figures. People also are interested in news about their own communities and the world at large. News stories can be serious or humorous. The purpose of news is to inform and educate its readers, listeners and viewers. It is not news’ job to entertain them; that can be the role of music and drama on radio, cartoons and crossword puzzles in newspapers and magazines.
The 5 Ws of News
A well-written news story includes the following information:
Who, What, Where, When and Why. These questions provide context for the news story and help its reader understand its importance. This is one of the most important aspects of writing a news story.
The Who and What sections of a news story focus on the human element of the event or situation. The names and background of the people involved in the story are vital to its understanding. It is important to interview the people featured in your news story and get their opinion. This allows the reader to make up their own mind about the event.
Where, When and Why are the next important parts of a news story. The location and reasons for an event are important because they show the significance of the story in a larger sense. A news story about a fire in Chicago may not have any impact on the lives of most readers, but it will be significant for those living in that area of the country.
How is the news story important? This section focuses on how the news item affects the community, nation and/or world. It can be an issue of public health, environmental impact, safety or social justice. A news story about the death of a famous person may be a national issue or it can be an issue that is local to the victim’s family and friends.
Why is the news important?
It is important to stay current with news about the world around us. The decisions made by our elected officials impact us, whether we know it or not. We need to be aware of those decisions and how they affect the quality of life in our cities. If we do not know about them, we can not vote or participate in the process. This is the most important reason to stay current with news. Alternatively, you can subscribe to a news service that delivers the latest updates to your inbox, such as The Skimm, Today Explained or New York Times The Daily. Or, if you prefer to consume your news through video or audio, try a podcast like Vice or Now This News. Lastly, you can also subscribe to a news aggregator that provides you with a curated feed of current events from a variety of sources.