News is a kind of communication about things that are happening, or that have happened. People get news in many ways – from newspapers, magazines, TV, radio and the Internet. News may be serious or it may be lighthearted. It usually tells us about things that are unusual or significant, and is often interesting and exciting. It can affect a lot of people – for example, if the stock market goes down and a lot of people lose money, it is news. Also, if something happens that is dangerous to people, such as a fire or a flood, it is news.

It is best to be aware of a variety of sources for news, so you can compare the way a story is presented in different places. For example, if you usually read your news in print, try occasionally tuning in to one or more of the news channels on television to see how they present the same story. This will give you a fuller understanding of how your perspective on the world can be influenced by which news sources you use.

Most people believe that the job of news media – newspapers, magazines and radio – is to inform their readers, listeners or viewers. This does not mean that they cannot entertain them too. For instance, a dramatic event such as a bank robbery can be made more interesting by describing how it happened and making clear who the good and bad people are.