News is information about events that affect people or the things they care about. It can be published in a range of formats – from newspapers to radio, television and the Internet. It is the job of the media to inform and educate – to make people aware of what is going on around them. The media also has a role in entertaining, but this is usually done through music and drama on the radio or crosswords and cartoons in newspapers and magazines.

The main aim of a news article is to provide information, but it should be accurate and not biased. The best way to do this is to source quotes from experts in the field and use them in the story. This is a good way to add credibility to your story and make it more interesting for the reader.

When writing a news article it is important to start with a hook – something that grabs the readers’ attention. This is often a dramatic anecdote or a surprising fact. It is then necessary to explain why the event is significant. This is called the “nut graph” and it should answer the questions who, what, when, where and why. It should be placed at the top of the article above the fold in a newspaper or on the first page of a web site, so that it is easy to find and read.

Once the nut graph is established it is possible to expand on the details of the news item. This can be done by focusing on the 5 Ws (who, what, when, where and why). It is often helpful to include additional background information which explores the wider context of the story. For example, what impact the news might have on other people or businesses. This can be achieved by including quotes or by describing the effects of the news on a specific area.

In some situations the ability to publish and broadcast news is restricted by governments or other authorities. This can happen for a number of reasons, such as security concerns, censorship or political pressures. In such cases the media can still provide information by publishing reports from other sources, such as foreign newspapers or radio or using satellite broadcasts.

In the case of international news, it is sometimes difficult to get an accurate picture of what is happening because of differing viewpoints. For example, the United States government may view a terrorist attack as terrorism while another country may consider it an act of self-defence. These differences in perception can lead to a lack of understanding and even mistrust between countries. This can be a significant factor in international relations and the world economy. The media can help to bridge this gap by promoting a more unified global view of events. It can also be a tool for protest against injustices and unfair treatment of people. For example, it has been used in the past to rally support for anti-Vietnam protests and demonstrations against apartheid in South Africa.