Harcup and o'neill 2001 news values
A classic!
Harcup and O'Neill's 2001 paper "What is News?" is a seminal work in the field of journalism studies. In it, they identify and categorize the key values that underpin the selection and presentation of news stories. These values are often referred to as "news values" or "journalistic values."
Here are the 12 news values identified by Harcup and O'Neill:
- Human interest: Stories that focus on individuals, their experiences, and their emotions.
- Impact: Stories that have significant consequences or effects on people's lives.
- Uniqueness: Stories that are unusual, extraordinary, or unexpected.
- Proximity: Stories that are geographically or culturally close to the audience.
- Relevance: Stories that are relevant to the audience's interests or concerns.
- Timeliness: Stories that are up-to-date and timely.
- Prominence: Stories that involve well-known or influential individuals.
- Drama: Stories that have a dramatic or sensational element.
- Surprise: Stories that are unexpected or surprising.
- Conflict: Stories that involve conflict, controversy, or disagreement.
- Suffering: Stories that involve human suffering, tragedy, or hardship.
- Good news: Stories that are positive, uplifting, or inspiring.
These news values are not mutually exclusive, and stories often appeal to multiple values. Harcup and O'Neill's work has been influential in shaping our understanding of the news selection process and the ways in which journalists prioritize certain stories over others.
It's worth noting that these values are not absolute or universal and can vary across cultures, media outlets, and time periods. Additionally, the rise of digital media and changing audience behaviors have led to new challenges and opportunities for journalists, which may require re-evaluating these news values.