A news outlet is a source of information about current events. Unlike other types of writing that focus on technical explanations or artistic expression, news articles prioritize delivering verified facts in a succinct and structured format. News outlets can take on a variety of formats, such as breaking news covering immediate, fast-developing events; feature stories exploring deeper topics or issues; and investigative reports uncovering hidden truths or complexities.
A good news article will clearly attribute where the reporter got each piece of information. The reader must know exactly where the writer obtained each piece of data from – whether it was a direct quote, police records, court documents, or even an academic journal’s retraction of a study.
It is also important to avoid using opinionated language in a news article. A good news article will only include opinions that are directly related to the verifiable facts of a story, and these opinions should be confined to the author’s own words rather than those of someone else.
Business drives most of today’s media outlets. Advertising, commercials, and online and magazine subscriptions all contribute to the revenue that supports news and information outlets. This business-driven environment can influence the agenda of a news outlet and cause it to highlight certain aspects of current events while downplaying others. It can also limit a news outlet’s ability to report on an issue that another television station, newspaper, or website is more willing to cover.