News is the information provided in newspapers, magazines, radio and television that relates to current events and developments. This information keeps people up-to-date and aware of what is happening locally, nationally and internationally. It can also help educate the public by explaining complex issues and topics in a way that is understandable.
In the past, it was common for newspapers to publish both good and bad news. This is because they wanted to keep their readers informed on a variety of subjects and not just about the dark side of life. However, some studies have found that a majority of newspaper content is dominated by negative news, which can be a problem for the general health of readers.
Brighton and Foy (2007) have developed their own version of Galtung’s matrix of news values, which they describe as being:
Relevance
This is where the topic of the story fits into the bigger picture and has a direct impact on people in the community. For example, a fire at a local home would be a relevant event.
Objectivity
The news story should be free of bias and the prejudices of the journalists. While it is impossible to find completely unbiased news, most of the major outlets have earned reputations for being trustworthy and presenting a balanced view of what’s happening in the world.
In addition to news outlets, there are also a number of online sources that provide well researched and verified information. These sites are recommended for anyone interested in avoiding confirmation bias and getting a more complete picture of what is happening around them.