Understanding News

“This business of giving people what they want is a dope pusher’s argument. New is something people don’t know they’re interested in until they hear about it. The job of a journalist is to take what’s important and make it interesting .”

-Reuven

Frank, former NBC News president

Newspaper CoverageWhat makes something “News”?

Interest

Facts

Audience

Five News Qualities-Accuracy: all facts checked-Balance: emphasis & completeness; cover both sides & select facts equally-Objectivity/Fairness : be fair; avoid conflicts of interest-Conciseness/Clarity : average reader at 8th grade level-Timeliness: doesn’t mean current, means appropriate

Interest ElementsTimeliness: emphasize newest angleProximity: nearness, impact on readersImportance/Consequence: effect on readersProminence/Names: familiar to readersConflict/Drama: opposing forces, suspenseVariety: unusual, strange, original eventsHumor: don’t force it, must be inherit in storyHuman Interest: sadness, happiness, animals, babies etc.

Functions of a Newspaper-Publish the news

-Comment on the news

-Entertain readers

-Help readers

-Publish advertising

News By The Numbers-from Inside Reporting, Tim Harrower

1 ordinary man + 1 ordinary life = 0 1 ordinary man + 1 extraordinary adventure = News1 ordinary husband + 1 ordinary wife = 01 ordinary husband + 3 wives = News1 bank teller + 1 wife + 7 children = 01 bank teller - $250,000 = News1 ordinary man + 1 ordinary life of 70 years =01 ordinary man + 1 ordinary life of 100 years = News1 ordinary student + 1 ordinary schedule = 01 ordinary student + ? = News