Definition of news in journalism
In journalism, news is defined as a report or account of a current event, situation, or development that is considered newsworthy, meaning it is of public interest, relevance, and significance. News is typically characterized by its timeliness, relevance, and impact on the audience.
The following are some key elements that define news in journalism:
- Timeliness: News is typically reported and published in a timely manner, often within hours or days of the event occurring.
- Relevance: News is relevant to the audience, meaning it affects or interests them in some way.
- Newsworthiness: News is considered newsworthy if it is unusual, unexpected, or significant, and has the potential to inform, educate, or entertain the audience.
- Objectivity: News reporting is typically objective, meaning it presents a balanced and unbiased view of the event or issue.
- Fact-based: News is based on verifiable facts and evidence, rather than opinion or speculation.
- Public interest: News is of public interest, meaning it affects or concerns a significant number of people.
- Significance: News has the potential to make a significant impact on the audience, whether it's through informing them about an important issue, highlighting a trend, or providing insight into a particular topic.
Some common types of news in journalism include:
- Hard news: Reports on serious, factual events, such as politics, crime, and disasters.
- Soft news: Reports on lighter, more human-interest topics, such as entertainment, lifestyle, and human interest stories.
- Feature news: In-depth reports on a particular topic or issue, often with a more analytical or interpretive approach.
- Breaking news: Urgent reports on developing stories, often with a focus on the latest updates and developments.
Overall, the definition of news in journalism is centered around the idea of providing accurate, timely, and relevant information to the public, with the goal of informing, educating, and engaging the audience.