News is information about current events. It may be delivered verbally, in writing via printed or written media (such as newspapers and magazines), on television or radio, or through electronic communication devices. It is often considered to be “hard” news, as opposed to opinions or lifestyle pieces.

News stories are often based on facts, although it is not uncommon for journalists to add their own interpretation or opinion to the story they are reporting. In order to ensure that a news article is factual, it is important to check the facts multiple times during the writing process. This can be done using editing programs like grammar checkers, or by asking someone else to read the article and verify that all of the information is correct.

When determining whether or not an event is newsworthy, it is important to consider its significance and impact. For example, an assassination of a politician would be significant and therefore likely to be newsworthy, whereas the death of a peasant farmer is probably not. In addition, the newsworthiness of an event may be influenced by its context. For instance, a coup d’etat in the neighbouring country might be a major event in one society but not newsworthy in another, depending on how it is perceived and how it impacts the local community.

It is also important to consider the intended audience of a news story. This will influence what types of events are deemed to be newsworthy, and how the story is presented. For example, a story about a celebrity’s death is likely to be of interest to only a small percentage of the population, while an earthquake or a terrorist attack will have a much broader appeal.

A good place to start when deciding whether or not something is newsworthy is by asking yourself if the event has any relevance to your life, or the lives of people you know. It is also worth considering whether or not the event is likely to cause controversy, as this will often affect how the news is reported.

The criteria for judging what is newsworthy are complex and can be subjective and unconscious. Journalists prescribe to a set of guidelines, but they are also affected by their own agenda and the pressures of time and resources. In addition, a great deal of the news we consume is shared through social media, so it can be difficult to determine which sources are reliable and objective. A good way to get started is by asking people who you respect where they get their news from, and what news discovery apps they use. This can give you a good idea of which outlets are most trustworthy, and what their slant might be.