The job of the news media – radio and television, newspapers and magazines – is to inform and educate their readers, listeners and viewers. It is not their job to entertain them – entertainment comes from other sources – drama and music on TV, crosswords and cartoons in newspapers, for example.
The elements which make a story newsworthy are newness, unusualness, interest and significance. People are interested in events which affect them, so stories about weather, earthquakes and floods are of interest to many. Stories about people also make news – what other people do, how they look and their achievements are of interest to the majority of the population. People are also interested in famous people – what they do, how they achieve their success and whether they are involved in scandals or fall from grace. All societies are interested in health, so stories about hospitals and clinics, drugs, diets and exercise are of interest to most people. And, finally, most societies are interested in sex – although they may not talk openly about it.
When writing a news article, it is best to report the facts. Try to avoid putting in your own opinion unless it is particularly relevant and necessary. It is best to allow the people involved in the news to speak for themselves. A good way to do this is to interview them. For example, if a company announces a change in their CEO, you might interview the new CEO and ask them what they think about the move.
