A news outlet is a source of information for readers or viewers. It can be a newspaper, television station or online news site. News outlets provide information about current events, politics, business, weather and other important topics.
Most media outlets are dependent on advertising revenue for their income, so they have an incentive to present a positive image of themselves to potential advertisers. This is known as agenda-setting. In addition, the large number of different platforms that people can use to get news means there is more competition for their attention. This creates a further incentive to try to match the views and interests of consumers as closely as possible.
The way a news outlet reports the news depends on its editorial policy and its relationship to the public. Advocacy journalism attempts to persuade readers, listeners or viewers to accept a particular narrative, and it may leave out information that contradicts the narrative. In contrast, informative journalism tells all the facts a reader, listener or viewer needs to understand a story.
News articles are often written using a format called the “inverted pyramid”: The most newsworthy information is presented at the top of the article, followed by less newsworthy but still relevant details. The article concludes with a summary of the most significant aspects of the news. A journalist’s own opinion should not be included in a news article unless it is sourced and clearly labelled as such.
When writing a news article, journalists should aim to write in a style that is clear and concise. They should also avoid jargon or technical terms unless they are absolutely necessary. If a person’s name is mentioned, it should always be spelled out. In addition, it is advisable to use only the first initial of their first name when referring to them in print and on television.
About the Author
