Whether you’re a media professional or a news consumer, it’s important to understand how news works. In the modern world, news travels through a variety of communication mediums, such as television, radio, web sites, mobile devices, and social media platforms.
The definition of news is based on various factors, such as time, proximity, and exclusivity. However, the definition of news can be disputed by subjective and practical considerations.
“Hard news” is a news story that is immediately relevant to the public. These stories tend to be short (typically less than one thousand words) and matter-of-fact. Often, the story involves an immediate event or a person who is prominent.
“Soft news” stories are often longer, but they concern current events and trends. They can also explore a person in the news or a group of people. These stories often feature human interest and emotion. They may also have an element of surprise.
“Exclusive” stories are those that are first created by the news organization. These stories are usually based on an event that affects a larger population than the local news. These stories are often promoted by the news organization to attract readers.
“Entertainment” stories are those that are entertaining or lighthearted. These stories often involve showbusiness or show business personalities. They may also contain sex or animals. They can also include witty headlines, humorous treatment, and entertaining photographs.
“Drama” stories are stories that unfold and have a dramatic effect on the reader. These stories may be based on an unfolding drama or may involve an actual drama.