News Values: Blog task

 Read Media Factsheet 76: News Values and complete the following questions/tasks. 

Our Media Factsheet archive is available here - you'll need your Greenford Google login to access.


1) What example news story does the Factsheet use to illustrate Galtung and Ruge's News Values? Why is it an appropriate example of a news story likely to gain prominent coverage? 

The higher a news story scores on this list, the more likely it is to become news. Using the example pictured, Afghanistan, in terms of geographical proximity, is far away from the U.K. but when a young British soldier dies, the story gains cultural proximity as British audiences see the soldier as ‘one of their own’. On an intensity scale, the first female officer to be killed is considered more newsworthy as it is unusual. The ongoing war in Afghanistan is a continuity story but often the interest in the story lies in that fact that deaths, even though inevitable, are not predictable; a bomb disposal expert may be expected to live rather than die, which makes the story all the more shocking.


2) What is gatekeeping?

Gatekeeping is the process of filtering information prior to dissemination. This process is usually done via the editor, but the gatekeeping process could be seen to be more than simply an editor choosing one story over another, it could also refer to how journalist select certain lines of questioning, or use some words over others to describe people and event. In general, gatekeeping is about opening or closing the channels of communication and, in the case of news, it is a way for news institution to control the ‘flow’ of information passed on to the audience.

3) What are the six ways bias can be created in news?

  •  Bias through selection  and omission 
  •  Bias through placement   
  •  Bias by headline  
  •  Bias by photos, captions, and  camera angles.
  •  Bias through the use of  names and titles 
  • Bias by  choice of  awards 


4) How have online sources such as Twitter, bloggers or Wikileaks changed the way news is selected and published?

Some critics argue that the rise of e-media and the developments in technology are challenging the way media institutions ‘gatekeep’ news. How far this is true is debateable, whilst some bloggers have high-profiles on the internet, many are regarded as unreliable sources of news.

Many mainstream media outlets criticise the ‘unprofessional’ practices of bloggers. For example, blogger Ana Marie Cox released exit poll results during the Obama presidential election campaign, something mainstream press would not do as they argue it could affect the outcome. Cox argued her blogs only affect voter turnout “to the extent people believe them”.

5) In your opinion, how has the digital age changed Galtung and Ruge’s news values? 

Frequency/Immediacy: The 24-hour news cycle and social media mean news must be instantaneous, with constant updates breaking the traditional "day-old" news cycle.

Threshold/Negativity: Digital algorithms and audience  conflict-driven stories  such as tragedy. 

Personalisation/: News is tailored to individual user interests rather than universal "cultural relevance".

6) How would you update these news values for the digital age? Choose TWO of Galtung and Ruge's news values and say how they have been affected by the growth of digital technology.

Frequency/Immediacy: The 24-hour news cycle and social media mean news must be instantaneous, with constant updates breaking the traditional "day-old" news cycle.

Threshold/Negativity: Digital algorithms and audience  conflict-driven stories  such as tragedy. 

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