The evolution of the Internet and the proliferation of mobile devices has spawned many forms of news. Celebrity stories are a prime example. These stories concern famous people and often revolve around sex or showbusiness. Other stories focus on animals, human interest, or even humorous headlines. There are also surprise and contrast stories. The former have an element of surprise, while the latter have a positive overtone.
Models of news making have been developed to define what constitutes a news story and how it influences our culture. However, these models do not take into account the content of newspapers, magazines, and the web. The news stories are chosen based on their impact, proximity to readers, conflict, or local content. Some of these factors can make or break a story.
Different societies have different definitions for what constitutes news. For example, the death of Mao Tse-tung was not released to the public for days, but it still became news. Though news may have varying content, a general rule is that it must be relevant. For this reason, news stories that relate to celebrities, eminent figures, or events are likely to make the news.
Moreover, the media also affect public opinion and public policy. According to some critics, the media have become an institution that delivers news based on market research, rather than on factual information. Even if a particular piece of information is true, the journalist’s subjective judgment can influence the outcome of an article.