The word 报道 is formed by combining two characters, each contributing a core meaning that together create a new, unified concept. The first character, 报 (bào), carries the fundamental idea of reporting, informing, or announcing. The second character, 道 (dào), means to tell, to say, or a path of communication. When joined, they do not simply list two actions; instead, they merge into a single concept where 报 provides the action of relaying information and 道 reinforces the nature of that action as a verbal or written narration. Thus, the compound naturally means "to report news" or "a news report", encapsulating the entire process of gathering and conveying information through speech or text.