Lesson 12 — Activity 1: Media that Informs



One of the main ways we learn about the events going on in the world is through the various news agencies located locally, provincially, nationally, and internationally. News stories can appear in many formats: on the radio, on television, in the newspaper, online through news organizations, websites, and social media, and through individuals. There are many sources of news. Most of the international news we read in the newspaper or online or watch on TV comes from press agencies such as Reuters or the Associated Press while the news we read in our local paper comes from reporters working in our community.


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How does a story make the news?

Decisions about what stories are "newsworthy" are based on many different factors, including some of the following ideas:

  • Is the story important to the audience?
    That is, is it something that people will care about reading or seeing? Is it an event that will have an effect on the audience?
  • Is the story controversial?
    People seem to be interested in news that involves arguments or fights between people on opposite sides of an issue.
  • Is the story current?
    People are interested in learning about events that are happening now and issues that are important now.
  • Is the story emotional?
    News stories that make us feel sad, angry, or happy are more likely to appear than stories that do not affect our emotions.
  • Is the story unusual?
    Something that does not happen very often is much more likely to be in the news than something that is a regular event.
  • Is the story local?
    People are usually more interested in hearing or reading about events taking place near where we live than events that are happening far away and have little effect on us.
  • Is the story about well known people?
    Famous people or celebrities are usually given more attention in the media than people who are not well-known.
  • Is the story useful or educational?
    If the information in a story can be used by the audience to solve problems or learn something, it is more likely to be included in the news.


These are some of the factors that influence whether various stories will make the news. As with any communication, the message will rely a great deal on the audience. If it is not information that the audience will care about, it will probably not be newsworthy.

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