News Values and Gatekeeping (With ZEN HERNANDEZ)

Summary

In this engaging explainer, news anchor Zen Hernandez demystifies how stories are selected for TV and online media. He introduces the concept of gatekeeping, where editors decide which stories are 'newsworthy' based on specific criteria called news values: Timeliness, Significance, Proximity, Prominence, and Oddity. Using relatable examples—from typhoons and price hikes to celebrity gossip and unusual events—Zen illustrates how these values determine what reaches audiences. He also highlights the role of social media, emphasizing that today everyone is a gatekeeper and must ensure the accuracy and truth of what they share. A clear, insightful guide to understanding modern news selection.

Takeaways

• 📰 Not all events or stories are reported as news; editors and producers select which stories are 'newsworthy.'
• 🚪 Gatekeeping is the process of deciding which stories pass through the media 'gate' to reach the audience.
• 🔑 Editors and executive producers are the main gatekeepers who determine newsworthiness.
• 📅 Timeliness is a key news value; the latest events are prioritized in news reporting.
• ⚡ Significance refers to the importance of a story and its direct impact on people's lives, like policy changes or price hikes.
• 🌍 Proximity means stories that are culturally, geographically, or socially close to the audience are more newsworthy.
• ⭐ Prominence highlights stories about popular or famous people, including politicians, celebrities, and influencers.
• 🤪 Oddity covers unusual, exotic, or out-of-the-ordinary stories that capture audience attention.
• 🔄 Stories can have multiple news values, sometimes even all five, making them highly newsworthy.
• 📱 Social media has turned everyone into a potential gatekeeper, so accuracy and truthfulness are crucial when posting.
• 🎯 Understanding news values helps audiences critically evaluate why certain stories appear in the media.
• 💡 Media literacy involves recognizing the role of news selection, gatekeeping, and news values in shaping public perception.

Q & A

What is gatekeeping in journalism?

Gatekeeping is the process by which journalists, editors, and news organizations decide which stories are worthy of being aired on TV or published, filtering out less important information.

Why don’t all stories gathered by journalists make it to the news?

Not all stories are reported because of limited time and space, so only the most 'newsworthy' stories are selected to reach the audience.

Who decides which stories are newsworthy?

News editors and executive producers are primarily responsible for deciding which stories are newsworthy and deserve to be published or aired.

What are 'news values'?

News values are criteria or standards used to determine whether a story is newsworthy. If a story has one or more of these values, it is more likely to be reported.

What does the news value 'timeliness' mean?

Timeliness refers to how recent or up-to-date a story is. The latest events are prioritized for reporting because they are most relevant to the audience.

How does 'significance' affect whether a story is reported?

Significance measures the importance of a story, especially its impact on people’s daily lives, such as changes in government policies, price hikes, or major traffic issues.

What role does 'proximity' play in news selection?

Proximity refers to how closely a story relates to the audience's location, culture, or interests. Stories about local events, traditions, or Filipinos succeeding abroad are considered more relatable and newsworthy.

What types of stories fall under the news value 'prominence'?

Prominence includes stories about well-known or influential people, such as politicians, celebrities, and social media influencers, as well as their achievements, scandals, or public activities.

What is meant by the news value 'oddity'?

Oddity covers unusual, exotic, or surprising stories that are out of the ordinary, such as extraordinary human feats, bizarre events, or ghost stories that attract public attention.

Can a story have more than one news value?

Yes, a story can possess multiple news values simultaneously, such as being timely and significant, or prominent and relatable, making it more likely to pass through the media gate.

How has social media changed the concept of gatekeeping?

With social media, everyone can act as a gatekeeper by creating and sharing content. This means individuals must ensure their posts are accurate and truthful before sharing information.