News is a timely report about something important that has happened or will happen. It has been around for centuries, but the Internet has greatly speeded up its distribution. It may be written, spoken, or transmitted via television, radio, or the Internet. People can even receive it on mobile phones. It is an important part of a democracy because it keeps citizens informed. In addition to reporting on current events, it also provides information about the past and future.

It is usually a written account of a specific event, but it can be an oral report as well. It is also the basis for many current affairs shows. Historically, the press was the main source of news, but nowadays, many people get their news from television and the Internet.

The most common topics of news reports are war, crime, government, politics, education, health, business, the environment, fashion and entertainment. However, not everything that happens is newsworthy. Something has to be unusual or unexpected for it to be reported. If a man wakes up, eats breakfast and takes the bus to work, it is not newsworthy, because this is what most people do every day.

There are different categories of news, depending on their significance and impact. Hard news, for example, involves disasters and accidents. Soft news, also known as feature, consists of human-interest stories about famous people or interesting, quirky or unusual events. The media tries to balance these types of stories so that there is a mix of serious and light news.

Choosing a topic is one of the first steps in writing a news article. It is important to select a subject that will be of interest to readers and that has the potential to change their lives in some way. It is also crucial to find a story that will be able to attract the attention of readers, such as a controversial issue or an inspiring or tragic event.

Once a topic has been selected, the journalist must find sources for the story. It is important to use sources that are reputable and can be verified. It is also necessary to cite the sources when writing the article, as this is an essential part of journalism.

After a reporter has completed his or her research, he or she must determine the best way to present the news in an accessible and compelling manner. This is often done by using an upside-down pyramid format, where the most important information is presented at the top of the page and then followed by more detailed or lesser-important information farther down. It is also important to write in the third person, since this style is considered more professional and objective. It is not uncommon to see articles that have been written in the first or second person, but this should be avoided if possible to avoid jarring the reader. People should always be identified by their first and last name or their initials, and not by nicknames or aliases.