What makes news
What makes news is a complex and multifaceted question, as it involves a combination of factors that influence what stories are considered newsworthy and worthy of reporting. Here are some key factors that contribute to what makes news:
- Newsworthiness: News organizations typically look for stories that are unusual, unexpected, or have a significant impact on a large number of people. This can include events that are dramatic, violent, or have a high level of public interest.
- Timeliness: News is often time-sensitive, and stories that are recent or developing are more likely to be reported. This is because news organizations want to provide their audience with the most up-to-date information possible.
- Relevance: News stories that are relevant to a specific audience or community are more likely to be reported. This can include local news, sports, or entertainment stories that are of interest to a particular group of people.
- Impact: News organizations often prioritize stories that have a significant impact on people's lives, such as natural disasters, economic crises, or major policy changes.
- Human interest: Stories that have a human interest angle, such as profiles of individuals or families affected by a particular issue, can be more compelling and newsworthy.
- Conflict: Conflicts, whether they be political, social, or economic, can be a major driver of news. News organizations often report on conflicts to provide context and analysis.
- Celebrity involvement: Stories involving famous people, such as celebrities or politicians, can be newsworthy due to their high profile and potential impact on the public.
- Breaking news: News organizations often prioritize breaking news stories, which are sudden and unexpected events that require immediate reporting.
- Investigative reporting: In-depth investigative reporting can uncover important stories that might not have been reported otherwise, such as government corruption or corporate malfeasance.
- Social media: Social media platforms can play a significant role in shaping what becomes news. Stories that go viral on social media can quickly become newsworthy and attract widespread attention.
- Journalistic standards: News organizations have their own standards and guidelines for what constitutes news, which can influence what stories are reported and how they are presented.
- Audience demand: News organizations often prioritize stories that their audience is interested in, as measured by metrics such as website traffic, social media engagement, and reader feedback.
- Editorial judgment: Editors and journalists use their professional judgment to determine what stories are newsworthy and worthy of reporting.
- Context: News organizations often provide context to help readers understand the significance and relevance of a particular story.
- Verification: News organizations verify the accuracy of information before reporting it, which can influence what stories are considered newsworthy.
These factors can interact with each other in complex ways, and what makes news can vary depending on the specific news organization, audience, and context.