What Makes News?
News is information about events in the world that are new or of interest. It can be distributed through word of mouth, written reports, newspapers, magazines, radio or television. It may also be posted on the Internet or social media. People like to read and watch news about famous people, sports, weather events and disasters. They are interested in the opinions of experts and ordinary people.
Most people agree that the job of news is to inform and educate its readers, listeners or viewers. It can also entertain them, but entertainment should come from other sources – music and drama on TV or radio; cartoons and crosswords in newspapers.
It is not all that happens which makes news, but the most important or unusual events. What is considered to be important can vary from society to society. If a man falls off a ladder while climbing up a tree, that is not news but if he is killed then it certainly is.
Money: People are interested in stories about fortunes made and lost, how people spend their money – on clothes, houses, holidays and charity. They are concerned about inflation, unemployment and taxation. They want to know about the budget, food prices and compensation claims. They are also interested in the lives of famous people and are eager to hear about their successes and failures.
They are also interested in their own health and well-being. They are curious about traditional remedies and medical research, diseases, hospitals and clinics and drugs. They want to know how to improve their health and are fascinated by stories about beauty, diet and exercise. They are also interested in sex stories, but only when they are not too revealing or if the behaviour goes beyond society’s generally accepted norms.