〜ということだ
I hear that (reporting); in other words (conclusion)machine translation
FormationPlain form (or quoted sentence) + ということだ
〜ということだ has two uses. The first is REPORTING information: "I hear, it is reported" — relaying almost word for word what was heard, often with the source given by によると: ニュースによると、来週から暑くなるということだ (according to the news, it's said it will get hot starting next week). This is a formal way of passing information on, common in news and announcements.
The second is a CONCLUSION, an interpretation: "that means, in other words" — drawing out the meaning of a fact: 返事がないということは、まだ怒っているということだ (no reply means he's still angry). In this sense the sentence often takes the shape 〜ということは、〜ということだ.
Formation: plain form + ということだ; the polite form is ということです, and more formal still is とのことだ. Compared with the reporting expressions you learned at N4: hearsay 〜そうです and らしい have both been "digested" through the speaker, whereas ということだ keeps the content intact, like a quotation — which makes it the most objective and reliable of the group.
Examples
ニュースによると、来週から暑くなるということだ。
According to the news, I hear it will get hot starting next week.
田中さんは来月会社をやめるということです。
I hear that Mr. Tanaka is leaving the company next month.
返事がないということは、彼はまだ怒っているということだ。
No reply means he's still angry.