News is anything that is interesting and that relates to what is happening in the world. It can be about sports, politics, the economy, the weather, entertainment or something else.
The first thing to do is decide what makes news. It isn’t always easy to tell because so many things are interesting. Nevertheless, there are five main criteria for what makes news:
Newness
If it is not new then it can’t be considered as news. This is the most important criterion. For example, a report that an insect has been found living on a plant which it had never previously inhabited would be very unusual, but would not merit much space in the news broadcast or paper. It would be better as a specialist or enthusiast’s story, or perhaps as a feature article in a newspaper.
Unusuality
The second criterion is also very important. The same story, if it was the discovery of a new species of bird or a discovery of a new plant which would have been a very useful food source for a sailor, could be hugely significant. It could also be very funny or entertaining, or even a tragic event.
Drama
The final criterion is that the news must be interesting. The best stories often involve some sort of dramatic event or situation. For instance, a car crash or an explosion can be extremely exciting. This is why many people are more likely to listen to or read about news than other types of media messages.
It can be a good idea to watch a variety of news programs and listen to different types of radio. This will help you to see the way that different media present stories and it will also give you a better understanding of the process of newsgathering, reporting and distribution.
Gatekeepers
The people who choose what is and isn’t news are called gatekeepers. They are usually editors, directors or managers of the news organizations, depending on which medium they work in (print, television, or the Internet).
Their job is to sift through all of the things that are happening in the world and to decide what will be chosen for publication. They will take recommendations from all of the people they employ, including reporters and assistant editors.
If they decide that an event is going to make the news, then it will be picked up by all of the news outlets in their area. These will include the local newspaper, the local radio and television stations and any online news sites.
They will then report on the events with words, stunning photographs and live video footage. They will also interview people involved in the events and will try to get as much information as they can about the story.
Before you put your story on a website or in a print publication, be sure to check that all of the facts are correct. If you have misinformation, then it will hurt your credibility as a writer and could be very damaging to the story you are trying to sell.