In the first half of the fifteenth century, paper was widely available, and the development of printing presses created new markets. As a result, news shifted from a factual format to a more empathetic one. In spite of the growth of newspapers, private newsletters containing important intelligence continued to be used by those who had to know the truth.
Influences on news selection
There is a growing body of research into influences on news selection. Many studies focus on the values journalists attribute to specific events, while others investigate the processes by which news arrives in the newsroom. This process is known as news discovery, and it determines the approach journalists take to stories. Various factors, such as attention, play a role in determining the newsworthiness of a story. The findings of one study, for example, showed how attention affects the selection of a story.
Influences on news selection vary by country. Some journalists may have to seek out or order their material in advance. Other journalists may be more likely to select news stories based on a specific agenda. Some may also be influenced by other factors, such as the place or time. Western media, for example, tend to focus on news items that are personal and often originate from high-profile figures.
Impact
Regardless of the source, news content can have a major impact on our mental health. A systematic review of media consumption among young adults revealed an association between increased news consumption and mental health decline. Despite this evidence, limited studies have examined the specific effects of news consumption on mental health and daily distress. For example, the effects of news on depression are unclear.
In addition, some news channels don’t adhere to ethical standards and manipulate people to make money. Negative news, in particular, can impact our mental well-being and cause tensions. Similarly, positive news can increase our sense of community and acceptance of others.
Timeliness
The concept of timeliness of news emerged during the nineteenth century, when the telegraph became more prevalent and news was more often transmitted to readers on short notice. During this time, newspapers tended to fix the publication date for stories, as powerful sources wanted to ensure that their content was presented as fresh and current. In addition, newspapers frequently raised their mail correspondence dates to create the illusion that the news had been written just yesterday.
Timeliness of news has become a central concern for many news organizations, and a defining value in journalistic practice. The concept grew alongside the development of telegraphy, which transformed news reporting by allowing reporters to transmit impulses of information and excitement to newspaper audiences, helping to initiate the daily news cycle. Newspapers also developed a new public face, positioning themselves as public portals that acted as a newsgathering network.
Audience
The audience for news is an important part of journalism, but its composition is changing. Newspapers have a shrinking readership, and television newscasts are losing viewers to more popular entertainment programs. Before cable television became popular, the only source for dinner hour viewers was newscasts. Today, cable television has many channels to choose from, and 40 percent of cable television viewers tune out news except for sensational events.
The study also shows that American news audiences are becoming increasingly diverse. Although contemporary journalism is primarily written for an English-speaking audience, there are also Latinx, Asian, and other minority groups that consume news content. This study examines how publications cater to these audiences, and how they can better meet their needs. It uses a multimodal discourse analysis to identify the ways in which news content can be made more accessible to diverse audiences.