The Values of News
News selection is influenced by the agenda of the news organisation. According to Harcup and O’Neill (2001), an agenda is the list of stories a news organisation feels will satisfy its audience’s need for information. However, this definition does not imply that the newspaper’s agenda is the final word on what makes for good news. Rather, it makes the selection process of news stories more transparent.
Content analysis of six news values
Most media outlets now take a different approach to setting their news agendas, but they continue to draw from the work of Galtung and Ruge. Almost all recent lists of news values refer to at least some of their criteria. Several academics have worked to refine and expand on their initial work. Most journalists, however, use alternative lists that are simpler and less analytical. Regardless of the methodology used, the study has had a profound influence on the understanding of what makes a news story newsworthy.
Impact
News has the power to affect us both positively and negatively. Positive news can inspire and unite a community, whereas negative news can cause tension and stress. It can also influence our perception and feelings, and encourage us to act positively affect others.
Violence
Violent news coverage can be harmful in two ways. First, it paints a distorted picture of the world. People tend to believe that the number of violent deaths is high, even though the reality is much lower. Secondly, it creates an unnecessarily high level of fear. These feelings of fear can lead to the purchase of guns and other weapons.
Locality
The importance of local news in promoting local events and businesses is increasingly recognized. While the front page of newspapers and news channels usually focuses on national events, many newspapers also feature sections devoted to local news and events. Other local news content may include classified ads, weather reports, and sports reports.
Timeliness
The concept of timeliness of news has long been a central concern for news organizations. It has been a core value of journalism, and its pursuit helps news organizations to engage a wider audience and expand their readership. In addition, timely accounts of events increase the audience’s sense of participation in far-away affairs. Timeliness, however, is not without controversy. Although it remains a fundamental value in news reporting, its definition and practice is highly debated.
Educational value
The quality of news has decreased, and with it, the educational value of news. This is a problem that goes beyond the quality of news. It is a problem that undermines democracy. There are many ways to address the problem, including further regulation of media ownership. However, the current FCC is far from a solution. It is filled with conflicting interests and is pushing the national media situation further away from a solution.