There are million potential stories that happen everyday, but journalists need a method to help them decide what stories to actually include in the news. They use a set of criterions called 'News Values' to help them select the news.
Frequency - The story is breaking news and is reported very soon after the event happened. Eg. rape in ASDA car park.
Threshold - The size of this certain event will govern the amount of attention that is given. Eg. Race For Life.
Unambiguity - Simple stories that are easy to understand and for the reporters to investigate will make good news. Eg. Bin Laden is Murdered.
Meaningfulness - Close to home and community events/gossip. Often in local newspapers. Eg. 15 Land Rovers have been stolen around Harrogate.
Consonance - Events which meet our expectations are most likely going to become news. Eg. The Royal Wedding
Unexpected - Stories that will shock the public will make great news as it adds an element of surprise. Eg. Harrogate is the Porn Capital of the UK.
Continuity - Events that are on-going and have already been established as news. Eg. War in Iraq
Composition - Most news organisations will try and balance their news stories. Eg. Include Foreign stories as well as stories from the UK to big a broader view on how the World is doing.
Reference to Elite Nations and Persons - The news refer to important nations and people because this interests the general public. Eg. A brutal murder happens in America, so the BBC/newspapers report it as if its out own news. However our country do not tend to report every death that occurs in a third world country as this is a much more regular occurrence and as bad as it sounds, is not particularly shocking.
Personalisation - Stories that the public can sympathise with are more likely going to make the news rather than stories that cannot be related to. However stories can be made more personal by giving examples of certain people who have experienced this event.
Negativity - Bad news is Good news. Eg. A plane crash, as horrible as it is, makes good news as it's shocking and exciting.
Actuality - This is news that gives another media to support the story. Eg. A video clip or photo image. This makes the story more interesting.
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