Today’s news media have a variety of different focuses. There are news stories about political issues, business issues, entertainment, and pop culture. Entertainment stories tend to be lighter and less serious, and may include human interest, animals, or sex stories. They may feature witty headlines and photographs to engage readers. Other types of news include surprise stories, contrast stories, and power elite stories, which feature powerful individuals or groups.
The most important quality of news is its ability to influence people. Stories about famous people, for example, will get more attention than the same story about a common person. A story about the Queen of England breaking her arm will get a lot of coverage. Human interest stories, however, can be about people in any part of the world, and often break the basic rules of newsworthiness.
As a result, the way journalists choose stories and content can affect the type of news they publish. The selection process is often influenced by a journalist’s ability to meet deadlines and to access information, among other things. Additionally, the social media platforms that journalists use to spread stories affect news selection decisions. Often, these platforms are based on audience recommendations, which can influence how journalists choose their stories. Lastly, the belief system of journalists can influence news selection.
Another important element of news is its ability to be brief. It is often reported moments after an event takes place. This means that news is early in the Information Lifecycle. This includes everything from the format of the publication to the perspective of the author, as well as the cultural and historical contexts.