What Are News Values?
News is a collection of information that helps us learn about the happenings in our surroundings. It provides a basis for the development of a nation and helps people to become more informed about issues that affect them. The news can be in the form of articles or audio-visual content.
The most important function of news is to alert people about what is going on in the world. For example, an announcement from the government about a change in policy is considered a newsworthy event. But, the news can also serve other purposes. For instance, it may preach a certain ideology or cause communalism to take hold. In addition, it may carry messages to the public that are intended to promote social cohesion.
One of the most popular topics for news reports is war. However, it should not be assumed that just because there is war, it is a good news story. On the contrary, there are a lot of controversies that generate interest among readers.
Another popular news value is surprise. This is a combination of an interesting, unusual, or surprising event and its corresponding impact. A news story that causes a large loss of life is likely to produce an effect on the readers.
News also provides information on current events and topics of general interest. It can be considered the spinal cord of journalism. These days, news is spread through the Internet. Many newspapers offer a special section for “offbeat” items. Some even feature funny stories at the end of their shows.
An ominous event is another common news item. This can be a rumour, a scandal, or a real event. When it comes to news, it is important to check it before it is printed.
A “human interest” story is a story that tries to evoke emotion. It can be about a celebrity or a group of people. This type of story is often emotional or humorous in nature.
Several scholarly explanations of news values have been proposed. For instance, Galtung and Ruge developed their taxonomy of news values in 1965. Other scholars, such as Brighton and Foy, have recently modified the taxonomy to incorporate digital media and the audience. They have created their own set of factors to measure the news-making abilities of various news media.
However, the news-making functions of these models don’t account for the impact of online media or the roll-out of news. Therefore, future research should explore the potential effects of social media on the media industry.
In terms of content, a well-crafted news story can have an impressive impact. The impact of news is often dependent on its time and place. It is also influenced by subjective influences such as the environment in which a journalist works or the workplace hierarchy.
Overall, the best news is the one that has the largest impact on readers. However, journalists must keep in mind that it is only worth reporting if it reflects reality.