In our 24 hour news cycle, it can be hard for Journalists and editors to come up with new material. Some outlets even continue to focus on the same old information for hours on end because they can’t come up with something new. As someone who was educated as a journalist, I tend to wonder if there are moments in which the field has lost its ability to differentiate between what is and what is not Newsworthy. And for those of you who are not journalists, this might be a beneficial lesson of sorts.

While times change and the norms in a craft adjust, I was taught and still understand newsworthiness to have to fit into one of more of these categories.

Timing

Something going on today will likely be more newsworthy than anything that happened a month, year or decade ago.

Impact

Of course the more something can hold meaning for us, the more valid it is for articles and reports.

Proximity

An article about  a new Store Opening in Des Moines, Iowa isn’t going to be as newsworthy for people in Flagstaff, Arizona as a new store opening in their own area.

Prominence

If an average person gets a speeding ticket, nobody really cares. But, if a high-profile actor does, that might be a different situation.

Human Interest

People like to hear and read about things that might be uplifting and something they can relate to a bit.

The Bizarre

Some entire publications (tabloids) focus almost only on this one.

Conflict

Like any good story, conflict can be a key part of any reportage.