A news outlet is a source of news that distributes information to a mass audience. These outlets can be found in various media formats such as newspapers, television, radio, and the internet. They play an important role in shaping public opinion on critical societal issues. However, they may be prone to media bias, which is the perceived or actual partiality of journalists and other news producers within the mass media.
News articles are generally written by professional journalists, often with a degree and training in journalism or a related field. They also abide by journalistic codes of ethics. In addition to news articles, most outlets publish editorials and/or political cartoons, and some have a dedicated “opinion” section.
Occasionally, news articles do not include a byline (author credit), particularly with very short pieces. This is usually a red flag indicating that the article should be checked carefully to ensure it’s accurate.
While journalists aspire to be objective, it is impossible for them to be entirely neutral. As a result, they sometimes frame stories to align with their own viewpoints. This can impact the credibility of a story and influence the public’s perception of important societal issues.
A growing number of Americans are getting their news online rather than from traditional mass media sources such as television, newspapers, and radio. In fact, about a third of adults say they often get their news from news websites or apps, social media, or search engines. A smaller share of adults say they often get their news from podcasts, email newsletters, or artificial intelligence chatbots.