News is a timely account of an interesting and significant event or development. Most people agree that it is the job of newspapers, radio and television to inform and educate their readers, listeners or viewers. But they can also entertain – music and drama programmes on radio; cartoons and crosswords in newspapers.
In most societies, the most important events are those that affect people. They can include crime – robbery, murder, forgery and road traffic offences. They can also include natural disasters such as cyclones, bush fires and droughts or human-induced disasters such as war, strikes and riots. Other things that make news are people – famous persons and their achievements, their death or marriages. They can also be interested in money – fortunes made and lost, tax rises and the Budget, food prices and wages. They are also interested in the weather, particularly if it is unusual.
Writing a news story requires good research and careful organisation of facts and information. The first thing to decide is who your audience will be. It will probably be a broad range of people, but it may also be more specific, such as residents of a particular city or community. Then, you will need to think about what the story is about and how you are going to tell it. A snappy headline will grab the attention of your reader and encourage them to keep reading. It should be written to conform to Associated Press style guidelines, or your publication’s own.