Dispatches: In the news
In the news (ITN) is the section on the Main Page that highlights Wikipedia's best new and expanded articles regarding topics of timely interest—that is, encyclopedia articles that have been updated to reflect an important current event—rather than conventional news items. It is sometimes misunderstood that ITN does not act as a newspaper; it is not a news ticker, nor does it link to news articles at Wikinews. All links are to Wikipedia content, encouraging readers to help update the article, point out potential errors and encourage further participation.
Wikipedia is not an online newspaper and does not accept original works of journalism or first-hand reports, although many Wikipedians are motivated to create and update encyclopedic articles of timely interest, with references to the aforementioned reports. Because Wikipedia is an online encyclopedia, such entries are created much faster than a "dead tree" encyclopedia. ITN originated from the September 11 attacks, when entries were created and posted on the Main Page minutes after the first reports. The entries led to an infusion of interest by editors in creating a new section on the Main Page, which linked to articles that provided readers with the context and significance behind the news.