Newsworthiness: Part II
In the previous blog the news aspects of conflict, progress, timeliness, proximity, and novelty were explored. From those definitions, one can begin to get a feel for what is news and how it functions. One should be able to apply each of those aspects to the newsworthiness of the existence of the 35-page document making it news. Now let us explore a couple more aspect of newsworthiness.
Relevance
While a story may have all of the five aspects mentioned before, it still may not grab your attention, because it may not have a direct enough effect on you. For example, if you don’t enjoy eating red beets and the price of red beets were to increase soon; that story may not interest you. However, if you love apples and the price of apples were to increase; you might pay more attention.
Consequence
If you perceive that a certain news story will inevitably lead to another action, and another, and another; then you are hooked. New organizations are well aware of this very powerful hook. Next time you observe news in some medium, look for this hook.
If you honestly take a look at these aspects of news, you will have a better idea of what news is. The big point is that we are the demand for news in an economic model. In a certain sense, we ask for the news we get -- just like how we desire how to have our steak cooked. We like our news catered to our preferences. It is important to note that many sources attribute many other attributes of news; however, I feel that the seven covered in part 1 and 2 of this blog cover our current American conceptions of news with minimal overlap.
When I started this blog I proposed as a thesis that I would make an attempt to demonstrate how the existence of the 35-page document was news in itself. I offer no further commentary; only to leave the reader with these thoughts. I am certain that if one applies these aspects of news one can reveal to oneself how the 35-page document is news,and I think one can get a better grasp of what news is from this academic perspective.
References
Zeepedia (2016) . News Values II . zeepedia.com . retrieved July 29, 2016 from http://www.zeepedia.com/read.php?news_values_ii_timeliness_proximity_novelty_human_intere st_radio_news_reporting_and_production&b=80&c=5
