What Is News?
News is a genre of media in which information is shared to inform and educate people. It can range from stories relating to famous people to stories about everyday people. It can also include stories about sex, show business, human interest, animals, or humor. Some stories are designed to entertain by featuring witty headlines or entertaining photographs. Depending on the type of news, it may also include contrast or surprise elements. Good news stories have positive overtones, while bad news stories are characterized by negative undertones. Other types of stories may include magnitude or relevance, which are those that are seen to be relevant to an audience’s interests.
Relevance
Relevance of news is a critical factor in news selection. It affects the reader’s perception of what the news article is about, and is based on a number of factors, including locality, familiarity, and violence. Some news stories are more relevant than others, depending on factors such as how much they affect the reader’s lifestyle or the opinion of a large social group.
Timeliness
The development of the telegraph in the 19th century revolutionized the production of news, turning reporting from a sequential process into an impulse. It also created a daily news cycle, mixing scheduled news reports and breaking news. With this new cycle came an ethos of timeliness. Journalists began structuring their operations to deliver news more frequently, and audiences integrated the concept into their daily routines.
Objectivity
Objectivity in news has become an issue that divides opinion-makers, journalists, and the public. In our media-overloaded society, where news is presented in countless formats and directions, objectivity is almost impossible to achieve. Moreover, journalists’ personal opinions and beliefs often contribute to bias. Furthermore, editors and journalists need to do a better job checking the facts they report.
Fairness
Fairness in news coverage is an important concern for journalists. The objective of fair journalism is to provide accurate, unbiased reporting free of bias, prejudice, and favoritism. It is also designed to be accurate and inclusive, including the views of those who are affected by a story. For example, when reporting on lynchings, a journalist must call out the Grand Dragon of the Ku Klux Klan and include relevant perspectives. In addition, news organizations should avoid sensationalism and use fact-checking to avoid bias.
Credibility
Whether the news you read is credible or fake depends on the source of the information. For example, if you read a news article from the NY Times, the article’s credibility may moderate the way you evaluate it. Then, if you read a fake article from a news source, your analytical reasoning may be lower and you may be more likely to believe the source of the news.
Impact
Recent studies on the impact of news on mental health show a strong link between increased news consumption and poor mental health. This relationship holds true among young people and among international samples. However, the specific effects of news on daily mental health are less clear.