News Values

There are millions of stories which happen every day which could make the news, therefore journalist need a method to decided which stories they should include. They use a set of criteria called news values to help them select the news.


Frequency
The more sudden an event is the more like it is to get reported. e.g. a terrorist attack.

Threshold/amplitude/numbers
The size of an event will govern the amount of attention it will receive. e.g. Race for life.

Unambiguity
The simpler a more appealing it is to a journalist as it is easier to investigate, simpler to right and clear for the audience to understand. e.g. Bin Laden is evil, if you are against him you are good.

Meaningfulness
Culturally and proximate events are more relevant to the news, especially local news. e.g. The sudden increase in robberies in Harrogate.

Consonance
Events which meet our expectations are more likely to become news. e.g. The Royal Wedding.

Unexpectedness/surprise
Events which are surprising and shocking are likely to become news. e.g. Harrogate is the UKs top online porn watchers.

Continuity
Events which have initially been defined by news will continue to carry importance in the news agenda e.g. War.

Composition
News reporters often end with a happy story to balance out the negative news input. e.g. Man from Scarborough wins "So you think you can dance"

Reference to elite nations
Other western nations are more likely to appear in the news e.g. USA

Reference to elite people
Events which contain certain reference to celebrities, Royalty or politicians e.g. The Queen

Personification
If a story includes a person experience are likelier to be reported as they are easier to be related to. e.g. Someone’s experience of the NHS.

Negativist
Good news is bad news... e.g. Car crashes/rape.

Actuality
If there are lots of pictures of an event it is likely to be reported. e.g. Bedrace having a whole page in the Harrogate Advertiser.