News is information about recent events occurring in the world. This can be given through a number of media: writing, printing, broadcasting, postal systems, wire services, television, or by the testimony of witnesses and observers to major events. It is a general term that covers many aspects of how people gather and interpret information regarding current affairs and historical facts. The way news is distributed and manipulated has changed dramatically over the past century, although it has not necessarily remained static.

The distribution of news is controlled by several factors. The first is the platform on which news is made available to people. While newspapers and television news organizations enjoy extensive freedoms when it comes to the type and range of information they publish, the Internet and other media sources are less constrained. There are numerous Internet news sites that allow anyone to publish their news quickly and easily. On television, certain programs are devoted entirely to distributing news, often with little or no additional comment from the host or panel. These programs are therefore not only watched by large numbers of people; they are also widely accessible to people who would not ordinarily have access to specific types of information.

News organizations rely heavily on newspapers and television for breaking news. When a newscast is aired or printed, it generally contains more new material than what was previously broadcast or published. This new material is generally brought to viewers through headlines and summaries of stories that are often featured throughout the news program. New material may be a lead item, such as a newscast that begins with a sensational story about a new product or political figure, or it may be a story that has some other interesting context, such as an in-depth look at an ongoing controversy or court case.

Many newspapers also publish columns and commentaries, both written and spoken. These are the primary means of conveying information to readers. Opinions expressed in this manner are not always necessarily news, but provide an in-depth perspective on the opinions of the writer. In addition to providing an opinion, most articles or columns also provide information and context about the news item in question. These pieces are an important way for consumers or readers to get information about specific subjects.

Both radio and television stations often feature segments that air live from events occurring around the world. These segments are called news broadcasts, and they are typically offered in two formats: live and delayed replays. Live news broadcasts include everything that is happening around the world as it occurs, but delayed replays allow people to rewind and watch a portion of the broadcast later in the day.

When considering which medium to use to inform you of news, it is helpful to understand which type of news is the best suited for which type of medium. For example, breaking news is best provided to people through a traditional media outlet, such as a television network or a newspaper. While the internet is a useful source of information for general consumer needs, it is often not the best place to find out the latest breaking news.