News is information about current events, and can be delivered through various media outlets, such as newspapers, magazines, radio, television, online, or mobile phones. Most of the time, this information is gathered through a reporter’s eyes and ears, or through photographs and video recordings. After the initial ‘gathering’ phase, the reporters and journalists prepare the news for publication. This process is heavily supervised by the news desk (or the copy-editors in Europe).
Some examples of news are war, government, politics, education, health, the environment, business, sports, and entertainment. People have been transporting news since ancient times through word of mouth, but it became a more organized and professional process as technology evolved. Now, the news is transmitted more rapidly than ever before.
In general, the majority of the news that is reported on tends to be negative, though it is possible to find unbiased sources. It is also important to note that news stories are not necessarily ‘true’ and should be considered with a grain of salt.
When writing a news story, it is good practice to use Associated Press style guidelines (unless the publication has different requirements). The most important part of a news article is the lead, which is often written by the reporter or a member of their staff. It should summarize the most important facts of the story and be a teaser for those who decide to read the entire piece. Often, the name and photo of the person involved in the story should be included as well. It is best to include the full first and last name, rather than a single initial, so as not to jar readers.