Hard news and soft news

In journalism, news can be broadly categorized into two types: hard news and soft news.

Hard News

Hard news, also known as hard news or hard news reporting, refers to factual, objective, and timely reports on significant events, issues, or crises that have a direct impact on people's lives. Hard news stories typically:

1. Report on breaking news, such as natural disasters, accidents, or political crises.
2. Focus on facts, figures, and data to provide a clear understanding of the situation.
3. Are often written in a straightforward, concise, and objective style.
4. May involve investigative reporting to uncover new information or shed light on a previously unknown issue.
5. Typically have a serious or somber tone.

Examples of hard news stories:

• A plane crashes, killing dozens of people.
• A major company announces layoffs due to financial struggles.
• A natural disaster, such as a hurricane or earthquake, devastates a region.

Soft News

Soft news, also known as soft news reporting, refers to stories that are more lighthearted, human-interest focused, or entertainment-oriented. Soft news stories typically:

1. Report on trends, lifestyles, or cultural phenomena.
2. Focus on people's experiences, opinions, or stories.
3. May include features, profiles, or human-interest pieces.
4. Often have a more conversational or narrative tone.
5. May include elements of entertainment, such as humor or storytelling.

Examples of soft news stories:

• A celebrity's latest movie or music release.
• A profile of a local business owner or entrepreneur.
• A feature on a new restaurant or food trend.
• A human-interest story about a person overcoming adversity.

Key differences

The main differences between hard news and soft news are:

1. Tone: Hard news is typically serious and objective, while soft news is more lighthearted and conversational.
2. Focus: Hard news focuses on facts and data, while soft news focuses on people and their experiences.
3. Purpose: Hard news aims to inform and educate, while soft news aims to entertain and engage.

It's worth noting that these categories are not mutually exclusive, and many news stories can blend elements of both hard and soft news. Additionally, the lines between hard and soft news can blur, and some stories may be classified as both hard and soft news depending on the context and audience.