Hard news vs 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 reporting, refers to factual, objective, and timely reporting of significant events, often with a focus on politics, economics, crime, and disasters. Hard news stories typically:

1. Report on events that have already occurred.
2. Focus on the who, what, when, where, and why of the story.
3. Are written in a straightforward, objective style.
4. Often have a clear and concise headline.
5. May include quotes from experts, officials, or individuals involved in the story.

Examples of hard news stories:

• Breaking news about a natural disaster, such as a hurricane or earthquake.
• Reports on political scandals or government decisions.
• Coverage of economic crises or market fluctuations.
• Stories about crime, including arrests, trials, and convictions.

Soft News

Soft news, also known as feature news or human-interest news, focuses on more lighthearted, entertaining, or informative stories that may not be as time-sensitive or serious as hard news. Soft news stories typically:

1. May be more interpretive or analytical in nature.
2. Focus on people, their experiences, and their stories.
3. Often include human interest elements, such as profiles, interviews, or profiles.
4. May be written in a more conversational or engaging style.
5. May include more descriptive language and vivid storytelling.

Examples of soft news stories:

• Human-interest profiles of individuals or families.
• Feature stories about trends, hobbies, or lifestyle topics.
• Entertainment news, such as movie or music reviews.
• Travel or food articles.
• Human-interest stories about animals or pets.

Key differences

While both hard and soft news are important, the main differences between them are:

• Tone: Hard news is typically more serious and objective, while soft news is often more lighthearted and engaging.
• Focus: Hard news focuses on facts and events, while soft news focuses on people and their stories.
• Style: Hard news is often written in a straightforward, objective style, while soft news may be more conversational and descriptive.

In summary, hard news is about reporting the facts of significant events, while soft news is about telling engaging stories about people and their experiences. Both types of news are important and serve different purposes in the media landscape.