News is the latest information about a particular event or issue. It is reported from news agencies and other sources, such as newspapers, magazines, radio, television or the internet.
How news is reported and produced has developed over time. In the past, people often passed on news through verbal communication, but technological advances have enabled new information to be transmitted quickly and widely.
Topics that make news include war, government, politics, education, health, the environment, business, fashion, entertainment and sport. Some stories also focus on unusual events or activities.
The importance of a story is generally determined by its significance. For example, if a farmer reports that an insect has destroyed his crops, this could be a matter of concern for many people. If, on the other hand, an archbishop says that the Roman Catholic Church should ordain women priests, this could be a matter of controversy and interest to some.
In a specialist publication this story would be big news. But in a general broadcast it may not merit more than a paragraph or two.
The most important thing to remember is that news should be factual and accurate. You should never write about something that isn’t true or isn’t relevant to the story you are reporting. It’s essential to have a second pair of eyes review your work, and you should always double check it for any spelling or grammatical errors.