WHAT IS NEWS?In journalism, “news” refers to information about current events or recently occurring developments. It reports facts, events, and issues that are relevant to the public. News has to be presented promptly and objectively, emphasising accuracy and fairness.
Key characteristics of news include:
Timeliness: News is about what is happening now or has just happened. It is to be current and relevant.
Relevance: News should interest a significant portion of the audience and address topics that affect people’s lives, society, or the world.
Objectivity: Journalistic ethics dictate that news reporting should be impartial and free from bias. Journalists should strive to present the facts without inserting personal opinions.
Accuracy: Journalists are expected to verify information and report it truthfully. Errors can weaken the credibility of the news source.
Fairness: News stories should present multiple perspectives and give a balanced view of the topic. This involves providing a platform for different voices and avoiding undue favouritism.
Impact: News often focuses on events or issues that significantly impact individuals, communities, or society as a whole.
News stories cover many topics, including politics, economics, science, technology, entertainment, sports, and more. Different types of news, such as hard news (factual reporting of recent events) and soft news (features, human interest stories), inform and engage diverse audiences.
WORKS CITED
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“What Is News?” Merriam-Webster, Merriam-Webster, Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/news.
Schudson, Michael. “The News Crisis: The Significance of News.” Journal of Communication, vol. 60, no. 1, 2010, pp. 1-17. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1460-2466.2009.01482.x.
Dr Aswathy Aravindakshan is a teacher, bilingual writer and artist with over two decades of experience in teaching English language and literature. She currently serves as Assistant Professor of English at NSS College for Women, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India. Her blog, ashlit.in brings together academic resources, creative writing in Malayalam and English, and visual art. The platform features lecture notes, study materials, poems, reflections, short prose, and a curated collection of her paintings. Through this space, she seeks to foster learning, creativity, and meaningful engagement with literature and the arts.
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