News Theory

News can generally be categorized into two main types: hard news and soft news. While there can be overlap, they differ primarily in their focus, timeliness, and purpose.

• Hard News:
  • Focus: Deals with serious events, facts, and major developments that have significant implications for a large number of people. Topics often include politics, economics, crime, war, natural disasters, and major scientific breakthroughs.
  • Timeliness: Highly time-sensitive, often reported as soon as possible after an event occurs. It emphasizes immediate impact and current events.
  • Objective: Typically aims for objectivity, impartiality, and a straightforward presentation of facts, adhering to the "who, what, when, where, why, and how" approach.
  • Purpose: To inform the public about important events that affect their lives and society.
  • Examples: A report on a new government policy, election results, a major accident, a stock market crash, or a disease outbreak.
• Soft News:
  • Focus: More focused on human interest, entertainment, lifestyle, culture, arts, features, and advice. It often explores personal stories, trends, or background information.
  • Timeliness: Less time-sensitive; it can be reported at leisure and often remains relevant for a longer period (evergreen content).
  • Evocative: Can be more subjective and often aims to evoke emotion, provide context, or entertain. It may use a more narrative or descriptive style.
  • Purpose: To entertain, educate, inspire, or provide context and deeper understanding of broader issues through individual experiences.
  • Examples: A profile of a local artist, a travel guide, a story about a unique hobby, an article on healthy eating tips, or a historical retrospective.

Sources are the lifeblood of journalism, providing the information, perspectives, and credibility necessary to report accurately and comprehensively. Their role is to:

• Provide factual information and verify claims.
• Offer diverse perspectives and context.
• Add depth, color, and human interest to stories.
• Establish credibility and build trust with the audience.
• Help journalists uncover hidden truths and hold power accountable.

Different types of sources serve various purposes:

• Primary Sources:
  • Description: First-hand accounts or original documents