The term “news value” can mean many things, not only large numbers. It can also refer to extreme behaviours or events. For example, an extreme temperature in an oven or a crime committed by a single person can be considered news. Regardless of how news value is measured, some elements are common to all news stories, regardless of their source. Below are some examples of these characteristics. Let’s look at each of them to understand how news value is judged and what makes a story “newsworthy”.
What makes news interesting? News should be brief, informative, and picturesque. It should make the reader say, “Gee Whiz.” But the news of the day is often so dry and boring that the ability to produce an unexpected reaction or statement is lost. Many sources are so eager to make us happy with their latest stories that we’ve lost our capacity to be surprised. News should be relevant to readers, not just entertaining. It should also be of interest to them.
The content of news can be different depending on the society, but the way in which news is identified is similar across all societies. Most news is about people, even though it may be created by non-human sources. Reporters must ensure that stories are about people and not just a product or a service. If the story is not about people, it’s probably not news. Instead, it’s an article about a celebrity’s behavior.
Among newsworthy stories are those that are exciting or shocking. A story can be shocking and interesting, but readers will most likely find it hard to ignore. A newsworthy story should also be new, significant, and about people. One example of this is a coup d’etat in one country, which may have negative effects for the stability of another country. A coup in another country isn’t likely to have the same value, but it can be interesting.
In an example of newsworthy news, an assassination of the late Chinese revolutionary Mao Tse-Tung would be considered “newsworthy” if it was reported by the media. Likewise, the assassination of an old man would not be considered newsworthy if it happened a few days ago. Similarly, a woman who lives with her grandmother is newsworthy if she takes the bus.
This type of news is a great example of the entanglement between the press and the government. Government officials and journalists need crises to portray their policies and influence public opinion. This results in a distorted view of the truth and makes the press ineffective as a medium for governance. This phenomenon is so common in our society that the author of this book, Paul H. Weaver, a former political scientist and corporate communications executive at Ford Motor Company, argues that there is a strong correlation between the news media and the government.
While broadcasting may inspire, educate, and illuminate us, news itself does not change the world. The goal of news is to inform and educate, not entertain. For entertainment value, turn to other sources. These sources provide entertainment in other ways. So it is important to know the distinction between news and advertising. Even if you are a journalist, remember the law of journalism: Tell the truth. It is your duty to inform the public, and to inform them of important developments in their society.