Charles dana definition of news
Charles Dana, an American journalist and editor, is often credited with defining what constitutes "news" in the late 19th century. In his 1846 book "The Journalist's Manual," Dana wrote:
"News is of two kinds: first, that which is concerned with the doings and sayings of men; and second, that which is concerned with the doings and sayings of the government."
Dana's definition of news emphasizes the importance of reporting on human interest stories, such as the activities and opinions of individuals, as well as government actions and policies. This definition has had a lasting impact on the way journalists approach their work and has influenced the development of news gathering and reporting practices.
In essence, Dana's definition of news can be broken down into two categories:
- Human interest news: This type of news focuses on the activities, opinions, and experiences of individuals, including stories about people, events, and issues that affect their daily lives.
- Government news: This type of news focuses on the actions, policies, and decisions of government agencies, officials, and institutions, including stories about politics, legislation, and public policy.
Dana's definition of news has been widely adopted and has shaped the way journalists approach their work, with many news organizations still following his guidelines today.