News is the immediate report of an event, often happening immediately after it has occurred. It is usually fresh and unusual, and thus appeals to a wider audience. News reporting must be factual; objectivity means reporting events as they actually occurred. The news reporter cannot add comment; this is the job of editorials and columnists.
While traditional division of roles between journalists and audiences is still important, social media has significantly altered how news is produced and disseminated. Audiences now play a more active role in selecting news. They share stories online, and recommendations from audience members have become a common part of news production. In this way, audiences are increasingly shaping news value.
The Pew Research Center has published a report on the state of news and journalism in the digital age. It is funded by The Pew Charitable Trusts, and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation also contributes generously to Pew’s work. Other recent Pew reports have looked at the changing nature of journalism and news platforms.
The growth of social media and the Internet has changed the way news is accessed. The rise of social media has also changed consumer behaviour, affecting how news is consumed. While social media has provided new opportunities for news gathering, traditional newsrooms have adapted to these new media channels.