local newspaper values

NEWS VALUES

FAMILIARITY

• Local newspapers contain news about the local borough we live in unless there is breaking national news or even nation world wide news.

• Local areas within the borough. Relations between the stories. The weather for Harrow

SURPRISE

• Is the story rare or surprising?• This can appeal to readers. It is something which you

wouldn’t expect.• For example; The Vatican pope resigns. It is a very

big surprise and can cause religious implications.

AMPLITUDE

• Is it a big event? And does it involve many people.• This is a story from the Harrow Observer. about a 5 year old boy who died from a collision with a van. This involved the whole of Preston Manor High School and many Parents.

IMMEDIACY

• Has it happened recently? How new is the story?• Immediacy in terms of news media means the latest

story in a week. • Some websites up date their news stories hourly.

• This is latest news from last night about a fire that broke out in Wembley.

FREQUENCY

• Is it something that happens frequently or rapidly?• Events that happen every year and are reported on

i.e. Wembley Stadium F.A cup finals. Many fights and trouble break out. This type of news story would mainly come from the Wembley Observer yearly because it relates to their areas. Crime that associates with areas within a borough will be reported on.

NEGATIVITY

• Is it bad news?• Many readers want negative stories as they are

interesting. It entices the public to read more. • A negative story about an ex-Dartford teacher who fell to his death after believing a false accusation that he was wanted by the police.

VISUAL IMPACT

• Is there a really strong image? • Images are said to make a big impact as it enables

the reader to visualise the catastrophe. • The image emphasises the seriousness to the story

which then makes there reader more inclined to read the story.