News is information about current events that is of interest to a newspaper or broadcasting audience. It is important to note that the purpose of news is to inform, not entertain. Entertainment is the job of other media, such as music and drama on radio and television; crosswords, cartoons and advice columns in newspapers. It is also important to remember that news should only be reported if it is factual and relevant. It does no good to report something that has already happened – the community has moved on.

In general, most news stories are about people – what they do and how they affect the world around them. However, news can also be about non-human events. These can include cyclones, bush fires, droughts and volcanic eruptions. In order to write a successful piece of news, the writer must be free from personal bias and do a great deal of research on their subject. This type of news is often referred to as hard news and is usually reported objectively.

Other subjects of news are war, government politics and religion. Also of interest are famous men and women, their lifestyles and activities. Health (including traditional remedies, medical research, hospitals and clinics), the economy, business, fashion and entertainment are all often covered in the news. Sex is another topic of interest to most societies. News about celebrities who fall out of favour or are involved in scandal is always popular.