News is information about recent events, often compiled by journalists. It can include items of interest, such as politics, culture, society and business. It may also cover natural disasters, such as fires or earthquakes. People have been transporting news since ancient times, either to pass on to others or for publication. The development of printing, telegraphs and radio has allowed the rapid dissemination of news. The Internet has facilitated the transfer of information at even greater speeds.
There are many different kinds of news, some more interesting than others. News about war, crime and weather are commonly reported. Government proclamations are often newsworthy, as are royal ceremonies and laws. News about celebrities can also be of interest, particularly if they become involved in scandal. Health is another important area for news, with stories about diseases, hospitals and clinics, traditional remedies and medical research being of particular interest. People are interested in what other people think about certain issues, so opinions of prominent people are often newsworthy, as are the results of public opinion polls.
Generally, for an event to be newsworthy it must have some significance or importance. It must also be unusual or remarkable. The classic definition is “Dog bites man” – but this doesn’t hold true in all societies. If dogs are eaten in a society, it will not be news when someone bites one; but if dogs are a part of the diet, it will be news if a person kills one for food.
A story is usually considered to be newsworthy if it has a high level of impact or significance, but this can vary from society to society. If a man goes to university, it is likely to be newsworthy in most places; but if he murders his parents, it might not be. People are interested in local events, and those that happen to people they know; hence a story about a burglary in a neighbouring village will be of more interest than a coup in a far-away country.
Most people get their news from television or newspapers (88 percent), but a growing number are using digital services like Google or Facebook to keep up with the latest developments. Increasingly, people are using voice technology to find out the news – asking their Amazon Alexa or Microsoft home device for today’s headlines is becoming more common. Some people use news aggregators to see multiple reports on the same story, allowing them to compare views and perspectives on an issue. In addition, there are a number of websites and apps that will help you stay informed by providing you with the latest news from various sources. This is especially useful if you want to make sure that the news you are getting is reliable. Alternatively, setting up Google Alerts for the topics that you are most interested in can be an effective way to keep up with the news. Opinionated sources, such as blogs and the opinion sections of magazines or newspapers, can also provide good sources of information.