Characteristics of News What makes a story newsworthy?

Define NEWS. Information not previously known that is delivered through the mass media and has some impact on the audience

Timeliness A characteristic of a news story about an event that is reported as soon as it happens

Prominence A characteristic of a news story about someone whose name or job (such as the President of the United States) is well known and easily recognized by the public

Proximity A characteristic of a news story that happens close to home

Conflict Involves two sides engaged in a ‘battle’ from which one will emerge the winner, such as a story about war, an athletic competition or election

Impact Based on the effect or consequence the story will have on the audience

Human Interest About people, usually those involved in some emotional struggle