News is information about events or circumstances which are likely to affect people. It may be about war, government, politics, crime, education, health, the environment, business, fashion and entertainment. It can also be about quirky or unusual events. It is usually conveyed in written form – in newspapers and magazines, on television and radio or on the Internet.
The aim of most journalists is to inform and educate. Some may also try to entertain, but this is not generally a main function of the news media. The entertainment often comes from other areas – music and drama programs on radio, for example, or cartoons and crosswords in newspapers.
Most of the time, a story is newsworthy because it is new and unusual. It may be about someone who has done something spectacular or someone who has died. It can also be about something which is important to a society, such as a natural disaster or something man-made which is significant.
If the news item is about a famous person, it will be of interest to many people. It is especially interesting if that person becomes involved in scandal or falls from grace. The same is true of money, which is why stories about fortunes made and lost are so popular. People are also interested in their own health, and are keen to read about diseases, hospitals and clinics, traditional remedies, medical research and so on. They are also curious about the lives of other people, and are interested in stories about famous places – whether they are in their own country or abroad. They are interested in sports, and they are interested in food. Most societies are also interested in sex, although this is not usually discussed openly.
Almost all stories contain some element of bias, and some are more biased than others. Bias can be conscious or unconscious. It is important to be aware of bias, and to be able to recognize it in other people. It is also important to be able to distinguish between bias and fact. A good source of news is one which presents facts without any bias, but which also allows people to form their own opinions.
It is impossible to completely eliminate bias, but a journalist can try to reduce it. A good way to do this is by using multiple sources of news and reading widely. This will give the journalist a more balanced view of the world. The following websites offer information on identifying bias and suggest ways of getting news from sources which are less biased. These sites are recommended for general use, but are not intended to replace more specialized sources of news.