Each day, countless news articles compete for your attention, but have you ever considered how journalists determine which stories are selected?
Journalists and editors employ a set of criteria called news values to assess if a story is worth reporting. In this blog, we will explore the concept of news values and how they impact the stories you read.
Explaining the Concept of News Values
In the field of journalism, news values are the key characteristics that increase the likelihood of a story being seen as relevant or valuable to the public. These principles direct editors and journalists in choosing, ranking, and displaying news stories.
Having a grasp of news values is essential for anybody engaged in content creation, from marketers to PR professionals, as it can assist you in creating information that connects with readers.
Now, let’s examine in more detail some of the critical news values and how they influence the stories we come across.
Timeliness:
The news significance of timeliness is based on the importance of a story at present. Although breaking news events are the most apparent instances, marketers and content providers can also take advantage of timeliness by creating tales that match ongoing events.
For instance, rather than reporting directly on the Super Bowl as most publications do, you can offer content that enhances related and recent events, such as ranking the most well-liked Super Bowl halftime shows over the previous ten years.
This method connects your content to current news coverage and increases user interaction.
To produce up-to-date material, take into account:
Recognizing regular occurrences that are important to your field.
Use popular subjects to your advantage with tools such as Google Trends.
Investigate current developments in your area of expertise and discuss neglected elements.
Proximity:
Proximity is the news value that acknowledges people’s inherent tendency to be more interested in events occurring in close proximity to them. It describes how empathy and connection decrease as things get closer to us.
News stories that are related to specific locations or demographics often have a more substantial impact on readers.
Instead of talking about a subject from a broad or countrywide perspective, concentrate on particular regions or communities.
For example, while studying the urban heat island phenomenon, focus on cities with the highest index based on data from Climate Central. This focused method brings the subject emotionally nearer to the people of highlighted cities.
To generate content based on proximity, take into account:
Using data sets with geographical information.
Examining whether national phenomena exhibit variations at the local or demographic level.
Investigating if a regional occurrence happens in other places or at a countrywide level.
Effect:
The news importance of impact, often referred to as significance, focuses on the number of individuals impacted by a specific topic or incident.
Although certain stories concerning personal experiences may be considered necessary, the extent of their influence is often utilized to determine if a topic deserves significant media attention.
For instance, a story regarding the buying power of groceries over the years is seen as significant since it directly impacts those who purchase food, influencing their financial plans and overall well-being.
Recognizing difficulties or patterns in your field that have a wide-ranging effect can result in engaging material.
To generate influential material, think about:
Investigating issues or patterns in the business sector that impact a wide range of people.
Connecting subjects from the business world to everyday situations, such as managing money or employment.
Performing keyword research to discover frequently asked questions and offer relevant information.
Popularity:
Assessing the prominence of a news value involves determining if the subject of a story is a widely recognized individual. People in the public eye, such as celebrities, politicians, and prominent persons, often generate more significant interest than regular people.
For example, an article describing the professional growth of a well-known public personality, such as Taylor Swift, can attract attention because of her significant stature in the public eye.
The intrinsic amount of well-known individuals can render such stories worthy of being reported.
To generate material that stands out, take into account:
Linking subjects relevant to the industry with well-known individuals.
Providing further information about the contributions or storys of significant individuals.
Investigating the political atmosphere concerning matters relating to the industry.
Unusualness:
Individuals are inherently intrigued by the uncommon or things that deviate from the average. Tales that diverge from the anticipated tend to seize the interest of readers.
Whether documenting uncommon occurrences or offering clarifications for peculiarity, these storys possess an innate allure.
For instance, a report on the steady increase in average height that occurred until the 1980s before stabilizing in wealthy Western countries is an unusual tale that combines a fascinating pattern with an illuminating explanation.
To generate unconventional material, contemplate:
Looking for ideas from unconventional stories published in related fields.
Utilizing a unique angle or perspective when discussing your subject.
Recognizing frequently asked issues in your field and providing distinctive perspectives.
Final Thoughts
News values act as guiding principles in the field of journalism, assisting editors and journalists in determining which stories are deserving of being published.
Gaining knowledge of these principles will improve your content development endeavors, regardless of whether you’re a marketer or a PR specialist.
By creating content that matches news values, you improve the chances of getting media attention, captivating readers, and providing valuable information that connects with your intended audience.
Therefore, when you generate content in the future, make sure to inquire, “Does this have news value?”