Definition of news by communication scholars

Communication scholars have defined news in various ways, reflecting their diverse perspectives and theoretical frameworks. Here are some definitions of news by communication scholars:

  1. Galtung and Ruge (1965): News is "the information that is transmitted through the mass media, which is considered to be of public interest and importance" (p. 64). They emphasized the role of news in shaping public opinion and influencing social change.
  2. Tuchman (1978): News is "the process of selecting, organizing, and presenting information to the public" (p. 143). Tuchman highlighted the importance of news as a social construct, shaped by the interests and biases of journalists and the media organizations they work for.
  3. Hallin (1986): News is "the information that is presented to the public through the mass media, which is considered to be of public interest and importance" (p. 14). Hallin emphasized the role of news in shaping public opinion and influencing political discourse.
  4. Schiller (1989): News is "the information that is transmitted through the mass media, which is considered to be of public interest and importance, and which is shaped by the interests and biases of the media and the society in which it is produced" (p. 12). Schiller highlighted the importance of understanding the social and economic contexts in which news is produced and consumed.
  5. Altheide (1995): News is "the information that is presented to the public through the mass media, which is considered to be of public interest and importance, and which is shaped by the interests and biases of the media and the society in which it is produced, as well as by the cultural and social norms of the time" (p. 15). Altheide emphasized the importance of understanding the cultural and social contexts in which news is produced and consumed.
  6. Bennett (2003): News is "the information that is presented to the public through the mass media, which is considered to be of public interest and importance, and which is shaped by the interests and biases of the media and the society in which it is produced, as well as by the cultural and social norms of the time, and by the technological and economic contexts in which it is produced and consumed" (p. 12). Bennett highlighted the importance of understanding the complex interplay between technological, economic, and social factors that shape the production and consumption of news.
  7. Kovach and Rosenstiel (2014): News is "the information that is presented to the public through the mass media, which is considered to be of public interest and importance, and which is shaped by the interests and biases of the media and the society in which it is produced, as well as by the cultural and social norms of the time, and by the technological and economic contexts in which it is produced and consumed, and which is intended to inform, educate, and entertain the public" (p. 12). Kovach and Rosenstiel emphasized the importance of understanding the multiple purposes and functions of news in contemporary society.

These definitions reflect the diverse perspectives and theoretical frameworks of communication scholars, highlighting the complex and multifaceted nature of news in contemporary society.