What counts as news?

Events happen every day but that does not guarantee that they will become news items. In fact, contrary to popular opinion, the process of news selection is biased because it is dependent upon broad influences which include organisational routines and news values.

“The news media select events for reporting according to a complex set of criteria of newsworthiness; so news is not simply that which happens, but that which can be regarded and presented as newsworthy. These criteria, which are probably more or less unconscious in editorial practice, are referred to by students of the media as ‘news values’; and they are said to perform a ‘gate-keeping’ role, filtering and restricting news input. The more newsworthiness criteria an event satisfies, the more likely it is to be reported’

Language in the News: Discourse and Ideology in the Press
Fowler, 1991:13

Consider the following events, where are these most likely to be reported as news?

Front page of a broadsheet

Front page of a tabloid

Local
Newspaper

School
Newspaper

Prime Minister meets President of USA
Prime Minister meets President of USA
GBP plummets after Brexit
GBP plummets after Brexit
Celebrity new mum shows off baby for first time
Celebrity new mum shows off baby for first time
New research: Two glasses of wine a day is good for you
New research: Two glasses of wine a day is good for you
Car accident on A49
Car accident on A49
Lost baby found safely
Lost baby found safely
Head boy announced
Head boy announced
Victorious Vixens Win again
Victorious Vixens Win again

What does this tell us about newsworthiness?

News organisations have to consider several things when selecting what news to cover and how:

  • Financial constraints
  • Airtime or Column space available
  • Deadlines
  • Audiences

Can you explain or give an example of how each of these factors can influence news?