Newsworthy events happen daily, and good journalists develop a knack for sniffing them out. But what one person might consider an interesting story could be of no interest at all to another. Newsworthiness is what determines whether events become reported stories, or just another item on a news ticker, and new agencies have a responsibility to cover those stories of greatest interest to their markets.

News and newsworthiness

News is simply information of interest targeted toward a specific group, market, or demographic audience. Newsworthiness places a value on that information relevant to the audience targeted. Major news organizations hire editors to make decisions as to the newsworthiness of a story. But in many organizations, experienced journalists can also make decisions in determining which stories are reported, and which are left out.

Virtually any piece of information can be news, but newsworthiness is determined by what news items carry the greatest appeal. In his book, "Deciding What's News", author Herbert J. Gans writes "Television favors news that produces dramatic, action-packed film, but the news magazines lend themselves to dramatic narrative, interspersed with vivid quotes and illustrated with action-packed still pictures."

Where people get their news

Conventional news reporting organizations offer news and information through television, radio, or printed publication. Each has a limited amount of time or space to report those news items which will be of the greatest interest to the greatest number of people. Since different people have different interests, news is often separated into sections or segments covering a range of topics including world news, national news, local news, sports, arts and entertainment, and finance. Other items of interest fall under the cover of "general news".

But growing opportunities in electronic media offer people more options in where to get their news. Freelancers, citizen journalists, and bloggers generally target a specific niche, and many develop loyal followings, attracting consumers who were once committed to conventional news sources. These alternative news providers are now determining the newsworthiness of stories based on establishing an expertise in their niche, and increasingly, conventional news organizations are turning to these "experts" to validate the newsworthiness of a story.

Determining the most newsworthy stories

The objective of every news organization is to report interesting and accurate information to its targeted market demographic. But each organization has a goal to gain or increase market share and ratings, which in turn, increases revenue. Major news organizations sift through hundreds of news feeds each day to scoop breaking news, and leading their competitors in delivering it.

It is the job of the news editor to determine which news items are most relevant for the market and target demographic being served. The most newsworthy are determined by the amount of impact a story creates. Lead stories are often chosen by the importance of the news to the greatest number of consumers. This could range from a world event, to inclement weather.

Many people complain that conventional news agencies place too much emphasis on "sensationalized" stories, and not enough focus on positive news. But, the bottom line is to catch the attention of as many consumers as possible. As one unidentified newspaper publisher once said, "That's what sells papers, and that's what pays the bills".

Learn more about this author, Terry Marsh.
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