というContent before a noun
という places a statement before a noun and presents that statement as the noun's content: for example, the content of a report, idea, fact, notice, or possibility.
How the relationship works
The clause before という tells you what the following noun contains or is about. Common following nouns include 話, 意見, 考え, 事実, 知らせ, and 可能性.
Statements used as noun content
Notice that each full clause answers a question such as “What was the notice?” or “What was the information?”
会議が延期されたという知らせが届いた。
A notice arrived saying that the meeting had been postponed.
Analyze彼が新しい責任者だという情報は、まだ確認されていない。
The information that he is the new person in charge has not yet been confirmed.
AnalyzeHere 責任者だ is a complete noun statement, so だ remains before the quotation particle.
この薬には眠気を引き起こす可能性があるという報告がある。
There is a report that this medicine may cause drowsiness.
AnalyzeContent, not a name
A full statement before という gives the content of the following noun. By contrast, when a name comes before the same form, it tells you what the following noun is called; that is the naming pattern.
青葉という町を訪れた。
I visited a town called Aoba.
Analyze青葉 is the town's name, not a statement giving the content of the noun.
More examples
新しい駅が建設されるという話は本当ですか。
Is the story that a new station will be built true?
Analyze予算が足りないという事実を無視することはできない。
We cannot ignore the fact that the budget is insufficient.
Analyze彼女は留学するという意志を家族に伝えた。
She told her family of her intention to study abroad.
Analyzeこのデータは景気が回復しつつあるという考えを裏付けている。
These data support the view that the economy is recovering.
Analyzeその制度は公平ではないという意見が多かった。
Many people expressed the opinion that the system was unfair.
Analyze明日は休業するとの連絡が店から届いた。
A message came from the store saying that it would be closed tomorrow.
Analyze計画が予定どおり進まない可能性があるという説明を受けた。
I was told that there was a possibility the plan would not proceed as scheduled.
Analyze