Ever wondered how news outlets decide what to show on the news or write about in newspapers? Think about it for a second: There are so many different news outlets and platforms in the world, and they don't all show the same things. How do they decide? The short answer: News Values. The long answer, well…
Obviously, news channels and journalists need to have some way to determine if something is newsworthy or not.
You could say that they just use their own discretion, but that feels a little unofficial.
That is why News Values are a thing.
Alrika Möller from media update explains why some things are newsworthy and some are not.
What are News Values?
The basic criteria that journalists and news outlets use are called News Values. It entails a list of things to consider when deciding whether the outlet should cover the story or not.
If they decide to go ahead with it, News Values come into play again to determine how much time or space they are allocating to the story.
There are two different sets of News Values.
Galtung and Ruge's News Values List
Way back in 1965, Norwegian social scientists Johan Galtung and Mari Holmboe Ruge decided to look into the process of classifying some things as newsworthy. They did extensive research based on newspaper reports about the various crises of that time.
They determined a list of 12 criteria that a story needs to have in order to make it into the newspaper. Like most researchers, they did not stop there. They took their research even further and later classified their list of 12 into three categories.
These categories are:
Impact
Threshold
How big is the story?
The more people or places affected by the story, the more likely it will make the news and get a prime spot in the line-up. Smaller or more local stories might not tick this box, but they will end up making the local news station report due to other criteria.
Frequency
How often does this happen?
When something happens often, or the story is developing slowly with small bits of information over a long time, it won't get as many views. When a natural disaster hits or someone finds proof of aliens, it makes the news.
Negativity
Is it good news or bad news?
Sadly, people aren't rushing to watch good news, but bad news gets the clicks and views. That is why something that is more negative or has a bigger shock factor gets more attention in the news.
Unexpectedness
Did you see that coming?
Anything out of the ordinary is newsworthy. When it is just more of the same, who cares — but when it is aliens, we care. This is usually when you see BREAKING NEWS pop up on your screen.
Unambiguity
Is it easy to understand?
News outlets are careful to not get into trouble. That means they are less keen on any stories or facts that leave room for interpretation. If the story is easy to understand and relatively straightforward, they will report on it.
Audience Identification
Reference to People
Who is affected by this story?
Human interest stories or any situation that is affecting a specific person gets more attention because it evokes empathy in the people watching. If you can tug on a heartstring, you are golden.
Meaningfulness
Will people identify with this story?
This is where the local news factor comes in. Local stations and newspapers report on local events because their audience will identify with the story. It is not just a case of whether people will identify with it but also who will. If the answer is your audience then it will obviously make the cut.
Reference to Elite Nations
What country is this story about?
It is sad to say, but stories involving First-World countries or the so-called Global Powers get more attention. The reason for this is that the names are more recognisable, making their events more newsworthy.
Reference to Elite Persons
Who is the story about?
If people know the person the story is about, they will be more likely to read or watch the report. That is why celebrities and recognisable persons such as presidents and politicians are filling up the headlines. They get the clicks.
Pragmatics of Media Coverage
Consonance
Does it fit the preconceived angle?
Most journalists have an angle in mind when it comes to a news story — in the same way that people have a preformed idea about stories. If the reality is too far away from the journalist's angle or what people already think and believe, it is less likely to get a prime spot or even make the newspaper at all.
Continuity
Can the story build?
If the story is ongoing or relates to a different story that is already in the news, there is a real benefit in reporting on it. Ongoing stories will get people to come back for more, and if it relates to another story, people can go back for the other reports.
Composition
Is there a balance in the topics?
A news channel cannot spend the entire day discussing different stories about the same country and a newspaper cannot fill an entire paper with just one topic. Regardless of the medium, every news outlet wants a balance in the type of stories and topics they report on.
Revised News Values List
In recent years, the News Values were revised to fit with modern-day outlets and mediums. A new list of eight main criteria was compiled.
Today, most news outlets and journalists use the revised list when they decide what makes the cut and what is not newsworthy enough.
Impact
Does it affect your audience's lives?
The more impact a story has on the lives of your audience, the more attention it should get from your news outlet. They will definitely care and want to know.
Timeliness
When did this happen?
Anything that counts as BREAKING NEWS or happened very recently is obviously a bigger news story than something that happened a few weeks — or even days — ago. The timing greatly impacts the relevance of a story.
Prominence
Who is the focus of this story?
Anything relating to a public figure or a more prominent country is going to get more attention from the public. Bonus points if the story is about a famous politician from a prominent country.
Currency
Is it trending?
If people are already talking about a story or topic, they will be more likely to pay attention to stories about it. Trending stories generally get more clicks and reads.
Conflict
How shocking is it?
Unfortunately, anything bloody or tragic is major news and a proper click magnet. That is why news outlets report on anything crime or war-related.
Unexpectedness
Is it bizarre or strange in any way?
There is an old saying in journalism: When a dog bites a man, it isn't newsworthy. If a man bites a dog, it is definitely newsworthy — especially when a former president talks about it. Stories with a bit of craziness will get people to stop and pay attention.
Human Interest
Is anyone impacted by the situation?
People love reading and hearing about other people. When an outlet reports on something that is impacting the lives of a specific group or person, it will stir some emotions within your audience.
The more boxes a story tick, the more newsworthy it will be.
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It might be newsworthy, but is it fact or opinion? Check out the difference between Editorialising Versus Reporting.
*Image courtesy of Canva