News is information about a change or an event that affects people and/or things. This can include political events, natural disasters, or something happening to celebrities. The news is usually presented objectively, without personal bias or commentary. It also should be sourced and verified.
Generally, the more significant an event is, the more likely it is to be newsworthy. However, an event that is new and unusual may still not be deemed newsworthy. For example, scientists report that they have discovered an insect living on a plant that it did not previously inhabit, this would be considered newsworthy for a specialist publication but is unlikely to make the cut for a general newspaper or news broadcast.
The way in which the news is consumed and distributed has changed dramatically with the advent of the Internet and 24-hour news stations. It is now much easier to distribute and consume the news, and this can be helpful in keeping citizens informed about the world around them. However, citizens should be careful not to over-consume news; this can lead to burn out and depression.
If you find it difficult to balance your time between consuming the news and maintaining your mental health, try a news podcast or a newsletter that delivers brief summaries of important stories directly to your Inbox. There are lots to choose from: The Skimm, The Daily, Today Explained or The Big Story, just to name a few. Alternatively, if you enjoy visual learning, check out the many outlets that produce video news, like Vice and Vox.