News values definition

News values refer to the criteria or standards that journalists and news organizations use to determine what is newsworthy and worthy of reporting. These values are often subjective and can vary depending on the context, culture, and audience. Here are some common news values:

  1. Impact: The potential impact of an event or issue on a large number of people or society as a whole.
  2. Uniqueness: The rarity or unusualness of an event or story.
  3. Proximity: The closer an event or issue is to the audience, the more likely it is to be reported.
  4. Prominence: The importance or status of the individuals or organizations involved in an event or issue.
  5. Human interest: The emotional appeal or personal connection to a story.
  6. Conflict: The presence of conflict, controversy, or drama in a story.
  7. Timeliness: The relevance or urgency of an event or issue to current events or the audience's interests.
  8. Novelty: The unexpected or surprising nature of an event or story.
  9. Relevance: The connection between an event or issue and the audience's interests or concerns.
  10. Sensationalism: The use of dramatic or attention-grabbing headlines or language to attract readers or viewers.
  11. Credibility: The reputation or trustworthiness of the sources or individuals involved in an event or issue.
  12. Drama: The presence of exciting, dramatic, or suspenseful elements in a story.

These news values are not mutually exclusive, and journalists often consider multiple values when deciding what to report. The importance of each value can vary depending on the context and the audience.

For example, a story about a local charity event might be considered newsworthy based on its proximity to the audience and its human interest appeal. On the other hand, a story about a global economic crisis might be considered newsworthy based on its impact, uniqueness, and relevance to the audience's interests.

Understanding news values is important for journalists, as it helps them to identify and prioritize the most important and relevant stories for their audience.