News is a form of communication that gives a summary of events. It is usually delivered through various media, such as radio, television, magazines, and newspapers. The purpose of news is to inform the public and to keep them informed of events that may impact their lives.
News comes from many sources, but a few major ones include government proclamations, war, crime, sports, and other topics. Depending on the frequency of publication, news can be distributed in a variety of formats, including hard news, soft news, and breaking news.
Hard news is a story that is able to catch the attention of the general public and has an immediate impact on people’s lives. It is usually short and matter of fact, but may also be about a topic that is intriguing to the reader. For instance, a story about a person’s death could be very important to a reader, especially if that person has been the subject of a controversial scandal.
Soft news is a more complex concept. A story about a person’s life may take place in the past, present, or future. This type of story is usually about trends, but it can also be about an interesting person or a topic that is not well known. These stories can be longer than their hard news counterparts.
In the 20th century, television and radio became powerful ways of transmitting news. Although these media can reach a wide audience, news often comes from smaller outlets. Therefore, the line between professional and amateur journalism has become blurred.
The media has played a significant role in defining the social image of our society. In the United States, the press is the fourth branch of the government. As such, it is a business, and depends on the ability to attract eyeballs and dollars. However, it is also expected that the press be neutral, except in cases where the facts clearly indicate an opinion.
In the first half of the twentieth century, documentary films were popular. Many newsreels were made. They were a staple of European and British cinema programming schedules for decades. Today, many news channels have a special documentary film series, which offers an in-depth look at the topic being discussed.
Another example is the internet. The blogosphere has created new opportunities for automated news gathering. With the advent of mobile devices, citizen journalists are stepping into the limelight. Tea accounts are a growing class of Twitter and YouTube accounts that report on the latest web-based gossip.
Models of news making can help to explain the process of how news is produced. Some models, such as the Mirror Model, state that the news is objective and unbiased. Others, such as the Organizational Model, are focused on applying pressure to governmental processes.
A model of news making is a useful tool to understand the media’s influence on our daily lives. While models do not account for the content of print media, they can be an invaluable resource for understanding how the news is received and interpreted.