What Makes News ‘Newsworthy’? Experts Weigh In
News is one of the primary sources that keeps us updated on current events, both locally and globally. However, not all stories are considered “newsworthy” enough to be reported on. So what exactly makes a story newsworthy?
Several factors come into play when determining what makes a news story newsworthy. These factors include timeliness, proximity, impact, prominence, uniqueness, and human interest. Let’s take a deeper look at each of these factors.
Timeliness is the most critical factor in news reporting. News is all about what’s happening now, rather than what happened days or weeks ago. A story is considered newsworthy if it’s happening currently, and if it’s happening immediately, then it is even more essential.
Proximity relates to the closeness of the event or story to the audience. News stories that are happening in or near the audience’s locality are considered more newsworthy. Such news stories can have a significant impact on the people in the area.
Impact is another essential factor that makes news newsworthy. The news story must have a considerable impact on the community, the nation or the world at large. For example, a natural disaster or a significant political decision can have far-reaching consequences beyond the local area.
Prominence is considered when the story is about a well-known or famous person, or when a well-known person is involved in it. Such stories can attract attention due to the celebrity factor as people are curious about the personal lives of famous individuals.
Uniqueness is a factor that makes the news story stand out from others. Unique stories that haven’t happened before, or those that are rare, exotic, or unusual are likely to be considered more newsworthy.
Finally, human interest can give a news story its newsworthiness. News stories that connect with people’s emotions, ideas or beliefs can be considered newsworthy. This stories have the power to touch hearts and minds, making them more memorable and impactful.
In conclusion, the above factors play a big role in determining what makes a story newsworthy. However, newsworthiness is subjective, and what one person finds appealing may not be the same for another person. Nevertheless, journalists use these factors as a guiding principle when deciding which stories to cover and in what way. By keeping these factors in mind, news becomes a valuable source of information and entertainment for people worldwide.…