News has been defined in many ways, but what are the main components of news? It can be divided into several categories, including Current events, Human interest stories, Extreme behaviors, and Timeliness. The following are some examples of these categories. Read more to learn more. This article describes some of the important features of news and how they are viewed by the public.
Current events
Current events in news are events that have happened recently. It can also include events that have happened in the past but are still of legitimate continuing interest to the public. For instance, a past meeting between two politicians could influence public opinion about how they will vote in upcoming elections. However, there are limitations to the type of current events that can be reported.
Human interest stories
Human interest stories in the news are stories about things people can relate to. These stories can be about health issues, politics, or everyday life. A successful story will feature a captivating lead and vivid descriptions. One example of a compelling human interest story is the journey of a refugee family. Another example is the story of a record-breaking mountain climber. The writer can share details about the climber’s childhood, training, and future goals.
Extreme behaviours
Throughout the news, we hear about crime and extreme behaviours. We read about how children throw objects and slap teachers across the face. They also attack teachers and classroom assistants. Sometimes they choke other students and touch themselves inappropriately. Extreme behaviours of students can disrupt a classroom lesson and cause teachers to lose valuable instructional time.
Timeliness
Timeliness has long been a central determinant of news reporting. In the nineteenth century, the telegraph and other communications technologies changed the temporal rhythms of news production and consumption. In turn, this changed how journalists interacted with their audiences. In addition, the idea of timeliness came to be reified in the press through organizational rewards and marketing strategies. It also heightened readers’ expectations for distant events and accentuated the ritualistic nature of news.
Objectivity
Objectivity in news is a highly debated topic. While the term implies that journalists must tell the truth without bias or slant, the fact is that few journalists want to be branded as biased or unobjective. However, it is crucial for a democracy to have accurate and balanced coverage of public affairs, and journalists have a responsibility to provide this.
Fairness
Fairness in news is a concept that is easy for the general public to understand. It relies on two basic principles: objectivity and impartiality. News organizations should avoid expressing their own opinions in their stories. They should also be free from bias and avoid slanting the news in favor of one side or the other.