News is information about current events and affairs. News stories can be found in newspapers and magazines, on TV and radio, and on the Internet. The articles in a news story often focus on the actions and opinions of people, but can also report facts.
What makes something newsworthy can vary between societies. For example, a news item about a farm wall collapsing killing both cows and pigs may be of less interest in one society than in another where cows are more important than pigs.
A lot of the things that happen in our society make news because they affect a lot of people. For example, a large stock market crash is likely to get lots of attention because it can affect many people financially. Similarly, a natural disaster that destroys a town or village and leaves many homeless will get good coverage in the press.
Often news items are ‘dramatic’ or involve clearly identifiable good and bad characters. This makes them interesting and engaging to read or watch. For example, a story about a bank robbery will highlight who was robbed (the good guys) and who did the robbing (the bad guys).
The main function of News is to inform and educate the public. However, it can also act as a watchdog, exposing corruption and wrongdoing by people in authority and reporting on political campaigns. It can also provide entertainment and leisure information through features and lifestyle sections of newspapers/magazines.
