Monday/ Tuesday, November 2/3 What makes a story newsworthy?

Learning standards: I can cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text, including determining where the text leaves matters uncertain.

I can determine an author's point of view or purpose in a text in which the rhetoric is particularly effective, analyzing how style and content contribute to the power and  persuasiveness of the the content.

Essential question: How does a journalist determine what is newsworthy?

What is news?

News is what somebody somewhere wants to suppress; all the rest is advertising.
Lord Northcliffe, British publisher 1865-1922

Well, news is anything that's interesting, that relates to what's happening in the world, what's happening in areas of the culture that would be of interest to your audience.
Kurt Loder, American journalist, b. 1945

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. Open a google document; when you have finished, please share from the drop down menu with me.

2. Please read the following articles, noting specifically the 7 attributes that make something newsworthy.  When you have finished, you will find 7 contemporary news articles. 

3. Using the format below:

(a) make a list of the 7 attributes that make a story newsworthy 

(b) for each of the articles that follow,  write out the headline

(c) write out the name of the author (note: some may list only associated press)

(d) write why the article is newsworthy (note that there may be more than one reason)

(e) then  copy and paste some supporting evidence from the article to support your selection for why the article is news worthy. This must align with your newsworthy choice.

 Model: First list the seven attributes (make you understand these)

             headline:

              author

              how news worthy:

              evidentce that aligns with your newsworthy selection

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What Makes Something Newsworthy?

1. Impact or Consequences

Generally, the greater the impact a story has, the more 

newsworthy it is. Events that have on impact on your readers, that

 have real consequences for their lives, are bound to be 

newsworthy. 

An obvious example would be the 9/11 terrorist attacks. In how many ways have all of our lives been affected by the events of that day? The greater the impact, the bigger the story.

2. Conflict

If you look closely at the stories that make news in any given day, 

chances are most of them will have some element of conflict.

 Whether it’s a dispute over banning books at a local school board 

meeting, bickering over budget legislation in Congress, or the 

ultimate conflict – war – conflict is almost always newsworthy. 

Conflict is newsworthy because as human beings we’re naturally interested in conflict. Think of any book you’ve ever read or movie you’ve ever watched – they all had some type of conflict. Without conflict, there would be no literature or drama. Conflict is what propels the human drama.

Imagine two city council meetings. At the first, the council passes its annual budget unanimously with little or no argument. In the second, there is violent disagreement. Some council members want the budget to provide more city services, while others want a bare-bones budget with tax cuts. The two sides are entrenched in their positions and in the city council chambers the conflict erupts into a full-scale shouting match,

Which story is more interesting? The second, of course. Why? Conflict. Conflict is so interesting to us as humans that it can even make an otherwise dull-sounding story – the passage of a city budget – into something utterly gripping. And the ultimate conflict – war – is always a huge story.

3. Loss of Life/Property Destruction

There’s an old saying in the news business: If it bleeds, it leads. What that means is that any story involving loss of human life – from a fire to a shooting to a terrorist attack - is bound to be newsworthy. Likewise, nearly any story that involves property destruction on a large enough scale – a house fire is a good example - is also bound to be news.

Many stories have both loss of life and property destruction – think of the house fire in which several people perish. Obviously loss of human life is more important than property destruction, so write the story that way.

4.Proximity

Proximity has to do with how close an event is geographically is to your readers or viewers. A house fire with several people injured might be big news in your hometown newspaper, but chances are no one will care in the next town over. Likewise, wildfires in California usually make the national news, but clearly they’re a much bigger story for those directly affected.

5. Prominence

Are the people involved in your story famous or prominent? If so, the story becomes more newsworthy. For example, if an average person is injured in a car crash, chances are that won’t even make the local news. But if the president of the United States is hurt in a car crash, it makes headlines around the world.

Prominence can apply to politicians, movie stars, star athletes, CEOs – anyone who’s in the public eye. But it doesn't have to mean someone who’s famous worldwide. The mayor of your town probably isn't famous, even locally. But he or she is prominent in your town, which means any story involving him or her is likely to be more newsworthy. Prominence can apply on a local, national or international level.

6. Timeliness 

In the news business we tend to focus on what’s happening this day, this hour, this minute. So events that are happening now are often more newsworthy than those that happened, say, a week ago.

Another factor that relates to timeliness is currency. This involves

 stories that may not have just happened but instead have an 

ongoing interest to your audience. For example, the rise and fall in

 gas prices is something that’s been happening for several years, 

but it’s a story that’s still relevant to your readers, so it has 

currency. 

7. Novelty

Another old saying in the news business goes, “When a dog bites a

 man, no one cares. When the man bites back – now that’s a news

 story.” The idea, of course, is that any deviation from the normal, 

expected course of events is something novel, and thus 

newsworthy

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STORY 1. 

Scientists discover 500 metre-tall skyscraper coral reef at Australia's Great Barrier Reef

The detached reef, taller than the Empire State Building, was discovered at the northern end of the Great Barrier Reef off Cape York in Queensland

      Alex Bello

Australian scientists have discovered a detached reef more than 500 metres high – taller than the Empire State Building – at the northern end of the Great Barrier Reef.

The “blade-like” vertical reef about 130km off Cape York, Australia’s north-eastern tip, was found during a 3D seabed mapping exercise conducted from a ship owned by the Californian non-profit Schmidt Ocean Institute.

Tom Bridge, from the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies at James Cook University and the expedition’s principal investigator, said the reef was 1.5km wide at its base and rose half a kilometre to within 40 metres of the surface.

It is the first large detached reef found in the area since the late 19th century when seven others were discovered over a 150km stretch of ocean, Bridge said.

“It’s a big reef not to have known about,” he said.

“What it highlights is how little we know about a lot of the ocean, even the Great Barrier Reef. The marine park is 344,000 square kilometres – bigger than many European countries – and only about 6 or 7% of that is typical shallow-water reefs.

“We know more about the surface of the moon than we know about what lies in the depths beyond our coastlines.”

Detached reefs are bedded to the ocean floor off the continental shelf but are not part of the main body of the Great Barrier Reef.

The newly discovered reef does not appear to have a lot of hard corals in its upper section, but has “an incredible abundance” of sponges, sea fans and soft corals, suggesting the area is rich in nutrients carried by strong currents and upwellings of deep waters.

Bridge said the camera on the underwater robot used to explore the reef showed it was home to plenty of reef fish, including tiny hatchetfish and silvertip, and grey reef sharks.

STORY2:  

U.S. pharmacies attract new flu shot customers as coronavirus surges   Caroline Humer

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Walmart Inc, Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc, CVS Health Corp and Rite Aid Corp have told Reuters demand for flu shots at their U.S. pharmacies is up sharply - in some cases double from last year - as people try to protect themselves from influenza in the midst of a worsening COVID-19 pandemic.The pharmacies are giving millions more flu shots than they have in past years, filling a gap from COVID-19 wary consumers who are avoiding the doctor's office. The gains represent millions of dollars in potential profit.

U.S. public health officials have been urging Americans for months to inoculate themselves against the flu, which kills about 60,000 people a year, warning of a potential "twindemic" of influenza and the novel coronavirus that could overwhelm hospitals this winter.

More Americans are choosing to get vaccinated at local pharmacies than in the past, partly due to cancellation of annual “flu shot clinics” in workplaces that remain shut by the pandemic. Walmart reported increased demand from entire families seeking shots.

"Right out of the gate, we saw much more volume than last August," Rite Aid Chief Pharmacy Officer Jocelyn Konrad said.

She said the company has been able to keep up with the high demand and has not seen any vaccine shortages.

The shift to pharmacies is a potential boost to the country’s biggest chains that may not yet be factored into many Wall Street earnings estimates.

Cowen & Co said in a research note that the flu demand will increase profit at CVS, forecasting that it would beat Wall Street estimates when the company reports quarterly earnings on Nov. 6.

Rite Aid flagged a 40% jump in demand and said last month that increased immunizations will help third-quarter retail profit. Fears of coronavirus infection has led to a decrease in U.S. doctor visits, a decline in new prescriptions and a drop in pharmacy retail sales.

Flu shots are typically covered by commercial insurance and government health plans, or can cost about $40 out of pocket at a pharmacy.

Pharmacies make a gross profit of about $15 per shot, according to healthcare services analyst Brian Tanquilut at Jefferies LLC. In addition, the extra trip to the store may entice customers to purchase other items.

Pharmacies began laying the groundwork for increased flu shot demand early this year, anticipating that a potential second wave of coronavirus cases would push more customers their way. An early Reuters poll showed that 60% of Americans planned to get the flu shot in the fall, up from a more typical 50%. A CVS survey found more people saying they would get the shot at a pharmacy.

GlaxoSmithKline Plc, Sanofi SA, and CSL Ltd's Seqirus, which manufacture flu shots used in the United States, increased production by between 10% and 20% this year for a total of about 190 million shots.

 Story 3: Rocky the dog returned to his family after running away before their wedding

Samantha Raeburn

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — On Friday a Rochester couple was getting their wedding photos taken by the Genesee Brew House when their dog ran away. Rocky was supposed to walk the bride down the aisle that day, but he had other plans.  Right before they said "I do" their flower girl told them he was on the loose. They turned around to see their entire wedding party scattered.  

"I think both of our initial reactions were 'Uuhh...' we both jumped out of the car and grabbed our wheelchairs and headed in different directions down the street," Stephanie Woodward said.

They were in full wedding attire at this point. They chased rocky for an hour and a half before they realized they would never catch him.

"We have slept here every night until we found him last night," Ryan Chalmers said.

They got rocky back with help from the community and rescue treasures.

"So with their help and the help of artisan who helped by letting us stay here and use them as headquarters and the help of the community who really came out in droves and passed out flyers... put them up everywhere we were able to figure out Rocky's pattern by people calling in and telling us where he was spotted," Woodward said.

"If we didn't have those calls we would have absolutely no idea what his pattern would be which direction he was going and where to put the safe traps," Chalmers said.

After multiple sightings, they called in the Colonel.

"When they put out traps with delicious KFC in it he went into a trap... went halfway in and left the trap twice and by the third time he went all the way in and the door closed and we got him at 2:30 in the morning," Woodward said.

And so we really want to just thank this community for coming together and helping us be able to have these moments and to be able to celebrate," Chalmers said.

"We can't even remember our wedding and that is okay because we got rocky back," Stephanie Woodward.

We are all happy Rocky is safe and sound!  

STORY 4:

Biden, Obama and Harris work in concert to reach crucial voting blocs 

in the home stretch

Christina Wilkie

WASHINGTON — For two men whose political legacies are deeply intertwined, the contrast between Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden and his former boss, President Barack Obama, was a sharp one on Tuesday in Warm Springs, Georgia, famous for its healing waters, Biden made his closing argument for election, pledging to “unite the nation.” He quoted Pope Francis on the higher purpose of politics and promised that “as a people and a country, we can overcome a devastating virus ... heal a suffering world ... restore our soul and save our country.” 

Four hundred miles south of Warm Springs, in Orlando, Florida, Obama made his own closing argument for Biden’s election at a drive-in rally.

Biden “is not going to screw up testing. He’s not going to call scientists idiots. He’s not going to host a super spreader event at the White House, and then take it on a tour all across the country!” said Obama, whose critique of Trump only got sharper from there. 

“Our current president, he whines that “60 Minutes” is too tough. Do you think he is going to stand up to dictators? He thinks Leslie Stahl is a bully!” 

“This is not normal behavior. We wouldn’t tolerate it from a coworker. We wouldn’t tolerate it from a football coach. ... Even ‘Florida Man’ wouldn’t be doing some of this stuff!” Obama exclaimed, name-dropping a popular Twitter account that pokes fun at bizarre news stories in the state. 

At first glance, it might seem like Biden “went high,” appealing to Americans’ better angels, while Obama “went low,” appealing to people’s desire to see Trump mocked the same way he mocks his opponents. 

But there’s more to it than that. 

With a week to go before Election Day and more than 60 million ballots already cast, the three members of the Biden “A-team” — the former vice president; his running mate, Kamala Harris, and now, in the homestretch, Obama — are each delivering a slightly different message but one that is aimed squarely at a key voting bloc that could swing the election. 

Biden is speaking primarily to crossover Republicans and independent voters, both of whom are key to winning states that Trump won in 2016, such as Georgia, Iowa and Michigan.  

Meanwhile, Obama’s message is aimed at younger voters, precisely the ones who would recognize his “Florida Man” quip, at Black voters and at Hispanic voters, who cheered every time Obama said, “Si se puede” in Orlando on Tuesday. 

Harris, the third member of the A-team, has been strategically deployed in recent days to appeal to still more distinct constituencies: Black and urban voters in the Midwest and in the Southwest. 

A Trump campaign spokeswoman did not immediately reply to a request for comment on Biden’s final week strategy. But the president has been relentless in his criticism of Biden and increasingly, Obama.

Story 5:

BET Hip Hop Awards 2020: Everything to Know About the Star-Studded Event

Darlene Odereju

It's that special time of year again!

The 2020 BET Hip Hop Awards will air Wednesday night at 9 p.m. EST on BET, BET Her, VH1 and MTV2. Viewers can also catch the ceremony on TV streaming services: Sling TV, AT&T TV Now, Philo and YouTube TV.

The 15th annual award show is a star-studded event honoring some of the biggest artists of hip hop.

In 2019, female rap legend Lil' Kim was recognized as the I am hip hop icon of the year. Breakout star Megan Thee Stallion took home the trophy for hot ticket performer. Travis Scott won the award for album of the year for his hit record Astroworld —  he was also named video director of the year. JAY-Z won the hustler of the year award. Cardi B snagged the made-you-look award. And the late Nipsey Hussle was posthumously honored with the BET Hip Hop award for MVP of the year.

DaBaby leads nominations this year with 12 nods in categories including best hip hop video,  best lyricist and hip hop album of the year.

Next is Roddy Ricch with 11 BET Hip Hop Awards nods. The 22-year-old rap star made waves with his 2019 mega-hit "The Box" which sat in the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 chart for seven weeks straight.

Megan Thee Stallion and Drake are also top contenders tied with eight potential wins each, making them the third most-nominated artists of the night.

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Story 6: 

Sharat and his 12-year-old son, Abhinav, are both participating in Pfizer's Covid-19 vaccine trial at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center.Courtesy Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center

Meet the youngest participants in Covid-19 vaccine trials: Teens and tweens   By Elizabeth Chuck

When Abhinav, an Ohio seventh grader, learned that a Covid-19 vaccine trial near his hometown was enrolling children, he wanted to participate. But there was one aspect of the study that had him worried.

“I was mostly a bit nervous about the blood draws, because I had one about five years ago, and it wasn’t so comfortable,” Abhinav, 12, said.

Nonetheless, he decided to enlist in the trial, which is run by Pfizer Inc.

“I think that it could really benefit the world, and I think it could also help scientists know more about the coronavirus,” said Abhinav, whose family asked that their last name not be used to protect their privacy.

Abhinav received his first injection at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center last Thursday, making him among the youngest participants in the world to take part in a Covid-19 vaccine trial. His father, Sharat, a bone marrow transplant physician, had already been in the trial himself, and encouraged Abhinav to sign up after experiencing no ill effects other than a fever that lasted for a day or two.

I’m happy that he’s doing his bit for science,” Sharat said of his son. “With the Pfizer study, no major side effects have been reported so far, so that made me comfortable with enrolling Abhinav as well.”

Earlier this month, Pfizer became the first pharmaceutical company in the United States to receive approval from the Food and Drug Administration to test its vaccine on children as young as 12. The kids who have signed up say they are proud to be participating — and say they feel safe doing so.

“They were talking about symptoms, and they were just fatigue, low-grade fever, headache. I was thinking, ‘I hope I don’t have anything like that because I don’t want it to mess with school or work,’” Katelyn Evans, 16, of Green Township, Ohio, said. “But I wasn’t thinking about my permanent health for a short-term inconvenience.”

ke most of the other coronavirus vaccine trials, Pfizer’s involves getting two shots. Participants are given the shots three weeks apart and then have their health monitored for two years by researchers. The participants do not know whether they are receiving a placebo injection or an actual Covid-19 vaccine.

Either way, the youngest trial volunteers say they have confidence in the vaccines that are being developed — putting them at odds with many adults across the country.

Manufactured during a highly politicized pandemic in a matter of months versus the years or decades that a vaccine typically takes, the Covid-19 vaccines have prompted growing skepticism. A survey in October from Stat News and the Harris Poll found that only 58 percent of the American public would get a vaccine when it becomes available, down from 69 percent of those polled in August.

But researchers say the vaccines they are testing are safe.

Story 7:

US election 2020: The five Senate races to watch

BBC correspondent

"An astronaut, a pastor and an American football coach walk into the US Senate" sounds like the beginning of a joke, but that is what could happen when winners of the 2020 general election take their seats in Congress.

While attention has been hyper-focused on the battle for the White House between Donald Trump and Joe Biden, an equally important fight is underway for control of Congress on 3 November.

The Democrats already have control of the House of Representatives, so they are looking to keep hold of it, while also gaining a majority in the Senate.

Republicans hold a thin three-seat advantage in that chamber, and there are 35 senators up for re-election - a good many of whom are vulnerable.

"An astronaut, a pastor and an American football coach walk into the US Senate" sounds like the beginning of a joke, but that is what could happen when winners of the 2020 general election take their seats in Congress.

While attention has been hyper-focused on the battle for the White House between Donald Trump and Joe Biden, an equally important fight is underway for control of Congress on 3 November.

The Democrats already have control of the House of Representatives, so they are looking to keep hold of it, while also gaining a majority in the Senate.

Republicans hold a thin three-seat advantage in that chamber, and there are 35 senators up for re-election - a good many of whom are vulnerable.

A Democratic-controlled House and Senate would have the power to obstruct the plans of a second-term President Trump, or push through the agenda of a first-term President Biden.

Meet the youngest participants in Covid-19 vaccine trials: Teens and tweens

“I think that it could really benefit the world, and I think it could also help scientists know more about the coronavirus,” said a 12-year-old who recently received his first injection.

Meet the youngest participants in Covid-19 vaccine trials: Teens and tweens

“I think that it could really benefit the world, and I think it could also help scientists know more about the coronavirus,” said a 12-year-old who recently received his first injection.

Meet the youngest participants in Covid-19 vaccine trials: Teens and tweens

“I think that it could really benefit the world, and I think it could also help scientists know more about the coronavirus,” said a 12-year-old who recently received his first injection.