News Values: Blog task

 

News Values: Blog task

Read Media Factsheet 76: News Values and complete the following questions/tasks. 
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1) What example news story does the Factsheet use to illustrate Galtung and Ruge’s News Values? Why is it appropriate?

The factsheet uses the example of a major disaster or terrorist attack to explain news values. This type of story is likely to receive prominent coverage because it has strong news values such as impact, negativity, and immediacy. It affects many people and creates strong emotional reactions, which makes it more likely to appear at the top of news bulletins and front pages.

2) What is gatekeeping?

Gatekeeping is the process where editors and journalists decide which stories are selected for publication and which are not. News organisations cannot report everything, so they filter information and choose stories they think are most important or interesting for audiences.

3) What are the six ways bias can be created in news?

Bias in news can be created through the selection of stories, where certain events are chosen over others. It can also be created through omission, where some facts or perspectives are left out. Another way is through placement, such as putting some stories on the front page while others appear further back. Bias can also appear through headline wording, which can influence how audiences interpret the story. Choice of sources can create bias if journalists only quote certain viewpoints. Finally, language and tone can influence audiences by presenting information in a positive or negative way

4) How have online sources such as Twitter, bloggers or Wikileaks changed the way news is selected and published?

Online platforms have made news much faster and more immediate. Stories can break on social media before traditional news organisations report them. Journalists now often monitor platforms like Twitter for breaking stories and public reactions. Sites such as WikiLeaks have also allowed large amounts of information to be released directly to the public. This means journalists are no longer the only gatekeepers of news.

5) In your opinion, how has the digital age changed Galtung and Ruge’s news values?

The digital age has made speed and immediacy much more important. News organisations compete to publish stories as quickly as possible online. Social media has also increased the importance of shareability and audience engagement, because stories that gain attention online are more likely to spread widely.

6) How would you update two of Galtung and Ruge’s news values for the digital age?

One news value that has changed is immediacy. News now spreads instantly through websites and social media. This means audiences often see breaking news online before it appears on television or in newspapers.

Another news value that has changed is threshold, which refers to the scale of an event. In the digital age, smaller stories can become important if they go viral online. A story that initially seems minor can quickly gain attention if many people share it on social media.