News is the information about current events that is published in the media. It is an essential part of a democracy and is a requirement for informed citizens. The most common way Americans get their news today is from digital devices. This change has affected the traditional newspaper industry, as well as radio and television.
A story that is new, unusual, interesting, significant or about people is likely to be newsworthy. But how do journalists decide what makes the cut? They make judgments about which events are the most important and which ones are merely a bit of fun. They may also have conscious and unconscious biases that affect how they present the news.
Some factors that make a story more newsworthy are its proximity to home, the involvement of people with name recognition, the prominence of the person involved and the extent to which the event is controversial. A coup d’etat in the country next door will probably be big news, for example. So will an accident or a fire that is particularly dramatic. Other factors that are sometimes taken into account are the impact of the news on the economy, society or politics and whether it is internationally relevant.
The best way to keep up with the news is to read a variety of sources, both traditional and digital. However, be careful not to overload yourself with news. Too much can cause you stress, fatigue and sleep loss.
