News is information about events, places or things that are significant in a society. People usually get their news from a newspaper, TV or radio. News can entertain and educate, but its primary purpose is to inform. It can also be used to influence opinions or change behaviours. In order to be effective, it must be brief so that it can be read quickly, clear so that people can understand it, picturesque so that it will be remembered and above all accurate.

The way that news is presented varies according to the culture and social values of the audience, so that the definition of what is news can vary. However, there are some basic characteristics that are understood by all journalists and those who regularly watch/read/listen to news. These are: timeliness, drama and consequence, proximity, narrative.

A good story must answer the questions: who, what, where, when and why. It must be new, unusual or interesting and about people. It should also be significant and have a wide impact. For example, a coup d’etat in your neighbouring country may have a wide impact on your own life.

A man waking up, eating breakfast and going to work on the bus is not news unless it is very unusual for him to do so. However, if that same man is 90 years old and still catches the bus every day, this might be news. It would be an important development in the history of your locality if you could report this.