News is new information about an event or story that has happened. It can be about something that affects people, businesses or the environment. It should be a factual report but it can also include opinion or humour. The story must be interesting and significant for people to want to read it or listen to it. The story can happen anywhere – in the local community, in the country or on the other side of the world. It may be about something that is significant, like a coup d’etat or it could be about the weather.

It is about people who do things that affect the world and the news stories are often about human interest. This includes the lives of celebrities and athletes, the political and economic situation of a country or region and the history of a place.

Keeping up with the latest events is important to most people. This information can be gathered from various sources, including newspapers, magazines and radio. It can be used for a number of purposes, such as keeping up with the latest developments, for entertainment or to keep track of friends and family.

A study using diaries and focus groups with 25 participants found that young and old news consumers accessed a variety of different news sources and valued a number of characteristics in news. These were timeliness, shareability and if it was entertaining or elicited emotion. This is consistent with the use and gratifications theory as it suggests that audiences select the information they consume in order to meet their needs.