There are many factors that influence how news stories are chosen, including their Magnitude and Relevance, and the impact they have on readers. But these theories can’t account for all of the arbitrary factors that can affect the value of news stories. For example, a planned story may fall through at the last minute, or an already-discarded story could be substituted for a more relevant one.
Influences on news selection
Influences on news selection are a growing area of research. While many studies focus on the values journalists attribute to certain events, others examine the processes by which news arrives in the newsroom. This process is known as news discovery. It is crucial because it triggers the news making process. In addition, it influences the way journalists approach a story.
A common way to evaluate the effectiveness of news is to compare it to the attention that the audience gives to news items. The attention that people pay to news determines whether or not they will choose to read it. It is often difficult to measure attention accurately, but a study conducted by Eilders (2006) incorporated three different elements.
Magnitude and relevance of stories
A good news story is one that has high reader relevance. People want to know what happens next, or the benefits of a new product. This is why news is often called “new information,” and the more recent it is, the more attention it will receive. However, the immediacy of the internet is changing how news is consumed.
News stories are more likely to be featured in front-page coverage if they’re sensational, or if they involve public figures. It should also be out of the ordinary, and if there’s disagreement about it. Stories that hit all seven news values would be compelling, but that’s rare.
Impact of stories
There are several factors that influence the prominence of stories in the news. These factors include proximity, eliteness, and conflict. They also affect the length of news items. Although the results of these studies are limited, they show that certain factors increase the likelihood of stories being published on the front page of a newspaper or aired on a television newscast.
In order to qualify as newsworthy, stories need to have a high impact. This usually depends on the number of people affected and the amount of resources involved. For example, the impact of the 9/11 terrorist attacks was large and significant for everyone. In addition, conflicts in the news are almost always newsworthy.
Impact of stories on readers
Studies have shown that stories have powerful effects on readers, ranging from developing empathy to helping people develop better self-images. The human brain responds more to stories than to facts, making stories more effective tools for transmitting information and values. Stories also allow readers to develop their creativity by expanding their imaginations.
Researchers have found that storytelling improves students’ reading comprehension. They also find that reading aloud motivates students of all levels. Stories also provide opportunities to hear new language forms and vocabulary in context. In addition, storytelling builds rich networks of associations. These associations have a deep impact on the construction of knowledge and self.
Human interest stories
Human interest stories in the news are stories that focus on people and the problems they face. These stories can be empowering for people and can also have a tragic side. The difference between a human interest story and a traditional news story is in the approach to storytelling. The main goal is to inform readers while at the same time evoking emotions.
Human interest stories often involve conflicting views, and the journalists must be careful in their reporting. As a result, the language used in human-interest stories should be neutral and devoid of epithets. The words used should be appropriate and avoid using terms such as “murder” or “homicide,” which require malice aforethought.