News is information about a significant event. It is the news that makes the headlines, that people talk about on TV or radio, that is published in newspapers and magazines, and that is found on websites. It may be current, or it can relate to an event that happened in the past. A story about the weather is news, but so too are reports on politics or business. An interesting new discovery or an unusual event is news, but the news that has the most impact is often that which affects us personally.
An important aspect of news is that it provides information which helps people make decisions. For example, an article about a fire in a residential building provides information which helps people decide whether to stay or go.
It is also important to understand the audience for news, as this can affect how and when it is reported. For example, a newspaper primarily read by people in Kansas City is likely to report on different topics than one aimed at residents of London.
Those who report the news must consider the five elements of news value: newness, oddity, interest, significance and scope. In addition, it is important that the journalist avoid injecting his or her own opinion and that a balanced viewpoint is presented. However, it is sometimes necessary to present opinion, particularly if it differs from that of the majority. It is also a good idea to provide enough information about the topic so that the reader can form an opinion of his or her own.