Elements of news judgment What editors take into account

What is news?

Curtis D. MacDougall 1938 classic Interpretative Reporting News is an account of an event which a newspaper prints in the belief that by so doing it will profit. Curtis D. MacDougall 1938 classic Interpretative Reporting News is an account of an event which a newspaper prints in the belief that by so doing it will profit.

Deciding whats news

Timeliness

Deciding whats news Timeliness Impact Timeliness Impact

Deciding whats news Timeliness Impact Singularity (uniqueness) Timeliness Impact Singularity (uniqueness)

Deciding whats news Timeliness Impact Singularity (uniqueness) Proximity Timeliness Impact Singularity (uniqueness) Proximity

Deciding whats news Timeliness Impact Singularity (uniqueness) Proximity Prominence Timeliness Impact Singularity (uniqueness) Proximity Prominence

Deciding whats news Timeliness Impact Singularity (uniqueness) Proximity Prominence Conflict Timeliness Impact Singularity (uniqueness) Proximity Prominence Conflict

Timeliness Something that just happened is newsier than something that happened a while ago

Timeliness Something that just happened is newsier than something that happened a while ago Key on the latest development, not the original incident Something that just happened is newsier than something that happened a while ago Key on the latest development, not the original incident

Impact Real, not theoretical

Impact Real, not theoretical World could end tomorrow Real, not theoretical World could end tomorrow

Impact Real, not theoretical World could end tomorrow Death is the ultimate impact Real, not theoretical World could end tomorrow Death is the ultimate impact

Impact Real, not theoretical World could end tomorrow Death is the ultimate impact Numbers also matter (how many) Real, not theoretical World could end tomorrow Death is the ultimate impact Numbers also matter (how many)

Singularity

Man bites dog

Singularity Man bites dog Coincidence Man bites dog Coincidence

Proximity Local angle

Proximity Local angle How to define? Local angle How to define?

Proximity Local angle How to define? In some cases, local local; in other cases the whole state, region or country Local angle How to define? In some cases, local local; in other cases the whole state, region or country

Proximity Local angle How to define? In some cases, local local; in other cases the whole state, region or country Just because something happened nearby doesnt mean its newsworthy Local angle How to define? In some cases, local local; in other cases the whole state, region or country Just because something happened nearby doesnt mean its newsworthy

Prominence

Celebrity

Prominence Celebrity A famous person Celebrity A famous person

Prominence Celebrity A famous person This does NOT refer to groups Celebrity A famous person This does NOT refer to groups

Prominence Celebrity A famous person This does NOT refer to groups A story about a teacher is not necessarily newsworthy just because teachers occupy a prominent place in society Celebrity A famous person This does NOT refer to groups A story about a teacher is not necessarily newsworthy just because teachers occupy a prominent place in society

Conflict

Ranges from policy disputes

Conflict Ranges from policy disputes To sports rivalries Ranges from policy disputes To sports rivalries

Conflict Ranges from policy disputes To sports rivalries To shooting wars Ranges from policy disputes To sports rivalries To shooting wars

Always a balancing act

Stories that have more elements of news are likely to be stronger than those with fewer

Always a balancing act Stories that have more elements of news are likely to be stronger than those with fewer But there are gradations within each category Stories that have more elements of news are likely to be stronger than those with fewer But there are gradations within each category

Always a balancing act Stories that have more elements of news are likely to be stronger than those with fewer But there are gradations within each category Bigger & smaller celebrities; bigger & smaller impacts; bigger & smaller conflicts Stories that have more elements of news are likely to be stronger than those with fewer But there are gradations within each category Bigger & smaller celebrities; bigger & smaller impacts; bigger & smaller conflicts

Who are our readers?

Local Oshkosh paper

Who are our readers? Local Oshkosh paper Traditional values Local Oshkosh paper Traditional values

Who are our readers? Local Oshkosh paper Traditional values Homogeneous Local Oshkosh paper Traditional values Homogeneous

Who are our readers? Local Oshkosh paper Traditional values Homogeneous Sports/outdoors Local Oshkosh paper Traditional values Homogeneous Sports/outdoors