News is the story of anything that is new, interesting, unusual, significant and about people. It is the story that gets read, heard and talked about in newspapers and magazines, on television and radio, and in social media such as Twitter and Facebook.
In the past, the main suppliers of news were trained journalists and other news personnel such as reporters, editors and gatekeepers. Audience members were the receivers who could call in with their comments about a story they heard or read on a newspaper, or write to the editor of a local news station.
When the Internet came about, it changed all that. Today, we can all be suppliers of information and gatekeepers of news.
The news we get on TV and radio is usually presented in a dramatic manner. It highlights good and bad characters, situations or events. This drama helps audiences understand what is happening in the world.
It is also a good way to learn about a new culture. For example, if you were learning French, listening to a news story about France in your native language can help you learn more about the country and its culture.
Students will have to make decisions about what they consider as news. Some of them may think that they have the right answers, but others will need to think more carefully about their opinions and why they hold those views.