News can be defined in many ways, including by subject, content, and medium. For example, some types of news are considered “hard news,” while others are classified as “soft news.” For example, the value of a news story may be determined by how many clicks it receives, how much it’s shared, and how many readers actually read it. As the value of news continues to evolve, so must the methods that journalists use to select and distribute it.
Regardless of the method used, news coverage has a profound effect on public opinion. It shapes the public’s perceptions and, in turn, public policy. Often, the press reports competing propaganda instead of the truth, and that causes a major public policy problem. This is why it is important for companies to be proactive about media relations.
While the content of news can vary from one society to another, it is often easy to recognize a news story. It is usually about a person or event. However, some news stories focus on non-human sources, such as a celebrity or a news organisation. For this reason, it is important for reporters to make sure their stories focus on people.
The first type of news is called soft news, because it involves stories based on human interest, often beginning with an anecdote. Moreover, it often deals with lifestyle, entertainment, health, and education. In addition, it often covers natural disasters, staged events, and other subjects of interest to the general public.