What Makes Something Newsworthy?
By Abe Wischnia
President
Abe Wischnia & Associates
Different journalists will give you different definitions of “news” and they won’t always agree. But most will agree on the elements that help them decide whether something is newsworthy. They include:
• Is it new?
• Is it unusual or unique?
• Is it timely?
• Is it controversial?
• Will it make people angry?
• Will it touch their emotions?
• Does it affect people’s health?
• Does it affect safety?
• Does it right a wrong?
• Does it affect children?
• Does it affect people’s pocketbooks?
• Does it affect a lot of people?
• Does it identify a new trend?
• Will it affect our way of life?
• Does it affect availability of food, shelter or clothing?
• Will it affect their daily routines?
• Does it solve (or address) a problem of society?
• Is this a local story with national implications?
• Is there a genuine local angle to a broader story?
• Is a prominent person or celebrity involved?
• Who really cares?
• (For Television) Does it have good visuals?
If you can honestly find a positive answer to one or more of the above questions, then you will have cleared a major hurdle in generating increased publicity opportunities for your organization. Conversely, keep these newsworthy elements in mind so that you can spot publicity opportunities.
