Breaking News: There are two ways that a story can be broken. It can be a real newsworthy event, or it can be a metaphorical one
Sky News is the first to share a newsworthy story
If you want to pitch or communicate a good news story, it pays to look at its news value. In other words, how likely it is that the story will be shared on social media.
The value of a story depends on how many people it affects and how much it changes things. The bigger the impact, the more newsworthy it is. However, it also depends on how unusual the event is.
For example, a story about a disabled person finishing a marathon is more newsworthy than a story about a man who bites a dog. This is because the former is closer to home and has a human interest angle.
Breaking a story is not an original story
If you’re a fan of cable television or the internet, then chances are you’ve seen a breaking a story segment on at least one of these mediums. In the olden days, a network news producer would take a call from the head of the station and invent something called a “break in” to relay an event or important bit of information that might have occurred earlier in the day. Nowadays, it’s usually a matter of sifting through the myriad of stories on hand and finding a few that can be turned into a coherent tale. As a result, the most important element of breaking a story is knowing the best way to go about it.
Breaking a metaphorical barrier
In the context of language, a barrier is a physical or figurative wall that separates one thing from another. The word is sometimes used as a noun, describing an object or situation that impedes communication or movement. These barriers may be real or figurative, and can be functional or imaginary. They are often a result of accepted norms or implicit biases.
A glass ceiling is an invisible barrier that prevents women from receiving promotion to executive positions. This is a metaphorical barrier that is most notable in the context of organizational structures, where women have traditionally been relegated to administrative positions. It can also be a result of specific policy or practice.
Special report (TV program) vs. News Flash
A Special Report is a TV program akin to a news channel. It started out in 1998 as a one hour special during the impeachment proceedings of Bill Clinton. Eventually it became a permanent title. It has been said that it is the most popular network television program of all time. As of this writing, the show has an audience of more than two million. The most successful show has earned more than twenty five consecutive Emmy nominations and a record breaking number of Emmy wins. During its tenure, it has produced some of the most memorable moments in television history. And it is the longest running television show in the country.
Critics of breaking news
The legitimacy of the criticisms of journalists and the role of journalists in responding to media critique has been debated. Scholars have proposed varying criteria for “quality” criticism. They include reasoned arguments, unemotional language, and substantiated facts. However, they have not yet been tested in the practice of journalism.
Some scholars argue that journalists should be careful in their responses to critics. Some have suggested that journalists should consider the intentions and the motives of the critics. While this may be true in some cases, other journalists believe that there is no need to worry. For example, when one critic attacks a reporter’s integrity, the journalist should take the criticism seriously.
