News is a type of information about events and issues that are current and important to society. It can be found in newspapers, magazines, television and the Internet. News can be about politics, war, business, crime or a natural disaster. It is essential for a democracy to have a free press, as democracies require the informed consent of the citizenry. News can be entertaining or informative, but it must always be accurate. It is also good to read a variety of news sources, as each has its own perspective on the world.

The most basic definition of news is that it is something that happened recently or that has the latest information about a current event. Timeliness is one of the most important characteristics that gatekeepers (such as editors or producers) look for in a news story when they decide whether it should be included on their news program, in their newspaper or on their website.

Other important characteristics of news are drama, consequence and proximity. The drama in a news story is often created by the fact that many people are affected or that it has the potential to have an impact on a lot of people. This is why a major plane crash or a major weather event are often newsworthy. It is also why a scandal or a lawsuit may make the news, as it affects a large number of people and can have a big impact on society.

Proximity can be an interesting aspect of a news story, especially when it involves someone that is famous or has a high public profile. It can also be an engaging element if there is controversy or tension surrounding a story. People are always interested in disagreements, rivalries and arguments, which can spice up a news story and make it more appealing to read.

Creating news can be difficult, as it is necessary to write an entire story in a short amount of space. This is why a news article should be as concise as possible, but also cover all the relevant aspects of a story. News stories should also try to engage the audience as much as possible by using human emotions, such as anger or compassion.

Increasingly, the lines between professional and amateur media have blurred, as more individuals choose to become their own producers and reporters. In addition, the internet has enabled individuals to find news from all over the world without the need for gatekeepers to curate and filter their content. Online news aggregation services like Google News allow users to see articles from various news outlets around the world.