The love of news is a master passion. While editorials wither into a puddle of ink, news reports stand tall. Love of news is the master passion. Journalism has one law: tell the truth. Regardless of the consequences, journalists have a duty to report the news. And that law is simple: tell the truth. That is why journalism is the most demanding profession there is. But what makes a newsworthy story?
Defining news
Various definitions of news have been developed by scholars in the field. For example, defining news in terms of value is useful for understanding how journalists select stories. Some definitions cite a news’ contribution to transparency or better understanding of a world issue. Others cite the importance of news’ shared-ability, which makes it more likely that people will discuss a story with others. These definitions help journalists better understand how news stories are chosen, but they do not make the selection process easier.
Factors that determine newsworthiness
Newsworthiness is determined by several factors, including the size of the impact and the number of people affected. The impact is often greater when the situation is current, so an event involving high-profile people is likely to be newsworthy. In contrast, an event affecting ordinary people will not generate the same amount of coverage as an event involving a famous person. Therefore, the size of the impact on the news media and the attention it attracts will determine the newsworthiness of a story.
Impact of a story
The impact of a story in the news can be determined by its placement in the story’s full text. The full text of a story explains how it was created and its news value. Pay close attention to the news value if you want to convey a message or pitch a good story. For example, a story describing a 72-car pile-up on a motorway will have more news value than a story describing a pile-up of 70 vehicles.
Timeliness of a story
In the age of digital news, timeliness is critical, and lagging behind can do more than ruin the newsworthiness of a story. It’s vital for businesses to plan ahead for the possibility of breaking news. Timeliness of a story in news is also an important element of corporate reputation. Here are some tips for companies to ensure their news stories are up-to-date and current.
Relevance of a story
One of the key factors that determine the relevance of a story in the news is the extent to which it is relevant to a particular group. For instance, the weather forecast for a specific town is much more relevant to residents than the national outlook. Similarly, the number of local police officers on the street is far more relevant to residents of that city than the number of national ones. The relevance of a story in the news is directly related to how widely it can be shared amongst people.
Magnitude of a story
The term “magnitude” can mean more than just large numbers. The term may also refer to occurrences or behavior that is perceived to have a large impact on society. For example, an oven containing extreme temperatures or a crime that is especially severe are considered extreme events. Another way to think about the magnitude of a news story is to consider how many people were involved. Newspapers often focus their attention on stories of this nature, as they are more likely to be of interest to their audience.