Hey....Define "news"

[buster2]

Some interesting threads on this board in which some posters have discussed the value of news programs of various types. I personally don't care because I think the news media is about as useless as teets on a bull anymore, but the definition of news is worth exploring.

One poster has postulated that when a congressman or leader of a nation speaks, it is not news because what they are saying is just opinion. I disagree, and it doesn't matter who the political figure is, some statements make news whether they're opinion or not.

But I realize people may have other views, so... what is "news"?

 

[KeithE4]

But I realize people may have other views, so... what is "news"?

Anything that involves Lindsay Lohan or anyone with the last name Kardashian is news. ;D

(Hey, somebody had to say it)

 

[landtuna]

One poster has postulated that when a congressman or leader of a nation speaks, it is not news because what they are saying is just opinion. I disagree, and it doesn't matter who the political figure is, some statements make news whether they're opinion or not.

I am that poster but that is NOT what I said. I singled out a specific piece where the president of Egypt repeated his earlier talking points concerning his takeover of power from his parliament. I said this wasn't news because it had already been reported a number of times.

I understand some pieces should be repeated because they are that important. A recall of a common food for instance. A politician repeating his talking points does not fall into that category unless he is declaring war on his neighbor.

A proper news producer's first question should be whether or not that information impacts his/her readers/listeners/viewers. Nothing that a Lohan or Kardashian does affects anyone in Phoenix yet we continue to hear about their antics almost daily. Likewise, a car crash and/or house fire, while traditional in the news biz, do not usually affect the vast majority of people either. We hear almost nothing about what happens in our state house and those decisions affect virtually everyone.

See the difference?

 

[mjlarochelle]

A proper news producer's first question should be whether or not that information impacts his/her readers/listeners/viewers. Nothing that a Lohan or Kardashian does affects anyone in Phoenix yet we continue to hear about their antics almost daily. Likewise, a car crash and/or house fire, while traditional in the news biz, do not usually affect the vast majority of people either. We hear almost nothing about what happens in our state house and those decisions affect virtually everyone.

What a Lohan or Kardashian do does affect certain demographics in any market. ;D

 

[tsherck]

In 2012, Most news can be found on internet and mobile devices because you can't on TV or radio anymore because they only tell you what the want to put on there. With the internet or cell phone "We the American People can look at what ever news we desire and we can spend as much time reading it in peace. And if we see a story about gossip we can blow right passed it. The only news reporters worth watching nowadays is reruns of "Uncle Walter" or Andy Rooney because that got right to the point R.I.P to both "That's The Way it Is" ;D

 

[e-dawg]

I cannot stand local news, I rather watch Deutsche Welle (DW), BBC NEWS, France 24, CBC News than watching the news from United States. With TV stations consolidating (Share Service Agreement, Local Market Agreement), and majority is fluff, I found local news to be boring and dull. Sometimes, it make me dumb by watching it.