Selection Criteria

Definition

Selection criteria are the specific standards and factors used by journalists and editors to determine which stories are newsworthy and should be reported. These criteria help in assessing the relevance, impact, and interest of a story, guiding decision-making in news coverage and ensuring that significant events reach the audience.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Selection criteria can include factors like timeliness, proximity, conflict, human interest, and prominence, each contributing to the perceived importance of a story.
2. Journalists often consider audience demographics when applying selection criteria to ensure relevance to their readers or viewers.
3. The selection process can vary across different media outlets, as each organization may prioritize different criteria based on their editorial focus.
4. Stories that meet multiple selection criteria are more likely to be chosen for coverage, increasing their chances of being highlighted in news reports.
5. Understanding selection criteria is essential for aspiring journalists as it shapes how they approach story ideas and pitches to editors.

Review Questions

• How do selection criteria influence the way stories are chosen for publication?
  • Selection criteria significantly influence story choices by providing a framework for evaluating which events are deemed newsworthy. Journalists use these standards to assess aspects like timeliness, impact, and relevance to the audience. This evaluation helps editors decide which stories will engage readers or viewers, ultimately shaping the overall news narrative.
• Evaluate the role of editorial judgment in applying selection criteria when determining news stories.
  • Editorial judgment plays a critical role in applying selection criteria as it involves the subjective evaluation of potential stories based on established standards. Editors consider various factors like audience interest and current trends while assessing stories. This judgment ensures that the news aligns with both the outlet's mission and the expectations of its audience.
• Analyze how changing societal values might affect selection criteria in journalism.
  • Changing societal values can significantly affect selection criteria by shifting what is considered newsworthy. For example, increased awareness of social justice issues may lead editors to prioritize stories about inequality or activism. As public interests evolve, media outlets must adapt their selection criteria accordingly to remain relevant and responsive to audience concerns. This dynamic relationship underscores the importance of understanding both current events and cultural context in news reporting.

Related terms

Newsworthiness: The quality or characteristics that make a story interesting and valuable to the audience, often determined by factors such as timeliness, proximity, and significance.

Editorial Judgment: The process by which editors and journalists evaluate stories based on selection criteria to decide what is published or aired.

Gatekeeping: The role of journalists and editors in filtering information and deciding which stories make it to publication or broadcast, influenced by selection criteria.