3 News Judgment & Types of News Stories
What Is News Judgment?
News judgment is the process journalists use to decide which stories to cover and how prominently to feature them. It’s part instinct, part training—and part understanding of your audience.
Editors and reporters ask:
– What will people care about?
– What do people need to know?
– What’s new, surprising, important, or emotional?
A story might not be ‘important’ globally, but if it directly affects your readers—say, a school closing or water contamination—it becomes newsworthy to them.
The Elements of Newsworthiness
Most stories that make it into the news meet one or more of these seven criteria:
|
News Value |
Definition |
Example |
|
Timeliness |
Is it new? Is it happening now? |
Breaking news, live events |
|
Proximity |
Is it local or nearby? |
Local elections, neighborhood crime |
|
Impact |
How many people are affected? |
Tax changes, power outages |
|
Prominence |
Are well-known people involved? |
Celebrity, politician, CEO |
|
Conflict |
Is there a clash or controversy? |
Debates, protests, lawsuits |
|
Novelty |
Is it unusual or unexpected? |
“Man bites dog” stories |
|
Emotion/Human Interest |
Does it make you feel something? |
Profiles, survival stories |
Types of News Stories
Journalists write in many formats, but most fall into these categories:
Breaking News
Fast, factual, unfolding events
Minimal analysis—just the facts as they come in
Updated frequently as information changes
Example: “Fire Destroys Warehouse in Downtown Boise”
Hard News
Covers serious topics: crime, politics, economy, public health
Emphasizes facts, quotes, and relevance to the public
Typically follows the inverted pyramid structure
Example: “School Board Approves $10 Million Bond for Repairs”
Feature Stories
Focus on storytelling, character, and detail
Often tied to trends, profiles, or human interest
Example: “Meet the Idaho Teenager Who Runs a Mini Goat Sanctuary”
Enterprise/In-Depth Stories
Original reporting on underreported or complex issues
Often includes data, multiple perspectives, and context
Example: “Inside the Growing Shortage of Rural Doctors in the West”
Soft News
Lifestyle, entertainment, arts, food, travel
Still factual, but less urgent or serious in tone
Example: “Five Huckleberry Recipes to Try Before Summer Ends”
Newsroom Decision-Making
In a newsroom, reporters and editors meet daily to pitch and plan stories. Their decisions are shaped by:
– Audience (What do our readers care about?)
– Platform (Print, web, social media, radio?)
– Resources (Do we have a reporter available?)
– Deadlines (Is this story ready for today or next week?)
They also consider ethical responsibilities:
– Is this story accurate and fair?
– Are we giving a voice to those affected?
– Are we prioritizing sensationalism over substance?
The Evolving News Cycle
In today’s digital world, news judgment happens fast and constantly. Online platforms allow stories to be:
– Published instantly
– Updated throughout the day
– Tracked for clicks and engagement
This has changed how journalists prioritize stories—but good news judgment still matters.
Key terms:
- News judgment – The process of deciding what news to cover and how to prioritize it.
- News values – Criteria used to determine if something is newsworthy (e.g., timeliness, proximity, impact, conflict, etc.).
- Breaking news – Urgent stories about unfolding events, typically reported with minimal delay or analysis.
- Hard news – Serious, fact-based news coverage focused on timely and important issues like politics, crime, and public policy.
- Feature story – A longer-form story that emphasizes character, storytelling, and emotional or human-centered angles.
- Enterprise reporting – Original, in-depth reporting that goes beyond daily assignments or press releases to uncover unique or underreported issues.
- Human interest – Stories designed to engage readers emotionally by focusing on personal experiences or unusual aspects of everyday life.
