What is News?

1. What is News? Judgment, Method, and More

2. Judgment • Reporter’s job: Evaluate events and select from a variety of occurrences those that will interest readers; inform, entertain, educate. • Timeliness, proximity, prominence often make something “news worthy.” • Always ask yourself the questions, “who cares?”

3. Who Cares? • Example: The mayor signs a proclamation designating next week as Clean-up, Paint-up, Fix-up week. • Now, who cares about the event? Why? • Conflict: An element of news that enters into many stories is conflict. Why are so many people interested in elections? Conflict, at least partly. • Other factors: Progress, money, disaster, novelty, oddity, emotions, drama, animals, and children.

4. Brainstorming Sessions • Brainstorming: Put ideas into action. First, have the group leader explain the problem to be considered. Example: We are planning a special issue of the paper on problems facing today’s graduate. What stories should be assigned? • Write down your ideas, look over the suggestions, compile answers.

5. Brainstorming Ideas • 1. Topics for editorials this week • 2. Topics for in-depth stories. • 3. Topics for editorial page columns and cartoons. • 4. Ideas for photo essays • 5. Theme topics

6. Technique • Topic, problem, or goal for the session should be announced • Two or three minutes to consider the question • One at a time, in rotation, each participant offers – in one short and complete sentence – a solution to the problem, or an idea for a project or action • Have a 2nd or 3rd idea

7. Assignment • Identify three possible school news story ideas for each news element mentioned. State the story idea in a single sentence. Example – Grade averages are rising and causing concern over grade inflation. Identify the audiences to who the story will appeal. Who cares? What elements are present?