News is a timely account of events and developments in the world. It informs people about what is happening around them, and helps them make decisions. It also acts as a watchdog by uncovering abuses of power and holding those in power accountable. News also provides entertainment and leisure through features, lifestyle segments, and cultural coverage.
A free press is often called the oxygen of democracy. Democracies need informed citizens to be able to function effectively. And to ensure that happens, the media must be independent and provide information that is fair and accurate.
What is considered newsworthy depends on who is deciding what gets reported. There are different models for evaluating what is newsworthy. One such model is the Mirror Model, which holds that news should reflect reality. Another is the Bargaining Model, which states that a variety of factors can influence what news is selected and reported. For example, the desire to gain clicks and shares on social media can have an effect on the selection of stories.
Other considerations include proximity, controversy, prominence and currency. Proximity is an important factor for many audiences, as is whether a story affects them personally. Controversy and prominence are also significant, as are how new or interesting a story is. And finally, currency is an important aspect to consider; does a story remain newsworthy over time? This is especially true with regard to political events and developments. In addition, a number of journalists and news outlets have biases that may affect what they choose to report. Fortunately, online news aggregation sites like Google News make it possible to sample multiple articles about the same event or situation, allowing you to see a diverse range of views on any given topic.