7 news determinants
You're referring to the 7 news determinants!
The 7 news determinants are a set of factors that influence the newsworthiness of a story. They were first identified by American journalist and professor, Galtung and Ruge, in the 1960s. Here are the 7 determinants:
- Human interest: Stories that focus on human emotions, experiences, and struggles tend to be more newsworthy. Examples: personal stories, tragedies, or triumphs.
- Proximity: Stories that occur close to home, geographically or culturally, are more likely to be covered. Examples: local news, community events, or issues affecting a specific region.
- Consequence: Stories with significant consequences, such as harm or benefit, are more newsworthy. Examples: natural disasters, economic crises, or major policy changes.
- Magnitude: Stories with a large impact or scope are more likely to be covered. Examples: major accidents, natural disasters, or global events.
- Frequency: Stories that occur frequently or are part of a larger pattern are more newsworthy. Examples: recurring issues, trends, or cycles.
- Unambiguity: Stories with clear causes and effects are more newsworthy. Examples: straightforward explanations, clear villains or heroes, or easy-to-understand issues.
- Negativity: Stories with negative consequences or outcomes are more likely to be covered. Examples: scandals, tragedies, or conflicts.
These determinants are not absolute and can vary depending on the context, audience, and medium. However, they provide a useful framework for understanding what makes a story newsworthy and how journalists and media outlets decide what to cover.