News/Elements of News/समाचार /समाचार तत्‍व/Dr. Anil Kumar Nigam #news #elements

Summary

In this video, the speaker discusses the concept of news and its evolution, tracing its roots from ancient times to modern media. The speaker emphasizes how news is not just any information, but one that holds public interest and contains certain key elements like novelty, violence, disasters, or achievements, which transform simple information into news. The video explains how news has evolved through various forms of media, including drums and palm leaves in ancient India, to the current print, electronic, and digital media. The importance of these elements in defining news is highlighted, with references to different scholars' perspectives on the topic.

Takeaways

• 😀 News has an ancient history, dating back to Hindu mythology, where Narad Muni was considered the first communicator.
• 😀 The term 'news' evolved over time, starting from 'NEWIS' in 1423, and becoming 'NEWS' by 1550.
• 😀 News is not just any information, it must contain specific elements to be considered newsworthy.
• 😀 News must be new, extraordinary, or significant in some way to qualify as news.
• 😀 Public interest is a crucial element—news must serve the larger public's interest, not just personal or private concerns.
• 😀 The concept of news has changed—today, both negative and positive events can qualify as news, not just negative ones.
• 😀 A piece of information becomes news when it involves certain elements, such as violence, disaster, or achievement.
• 😀 The key elements that make information newsworthy include violence, health, entertainment, accidents, and more.
• 😀 Every news item is based on information, but not all information qualifies as news.
• 😀 The definition of news is fluid; it has been defined differently by various journalists and scholars over time.
• 😀 The sources of news are important—credible sources are essential for transforming information into news.

Q & A

What is the concept of news, and how has it evolved over time?

The concept of news has been present since ancient times, evolving from early forms of information exchange like drum beats, parchments, and oral communication. Over time, it transformed with the advent of print, electronic, and digital media, becoming the structured form we recognize today as 'news'.

How did news transmission occur in ancient India?

In ancient India, news transmission occurred through mediums like drumbeats and written materials on palm leaves, before the advent of formal media like newspapers and electronic communication. Narad Muni is considered an early communicator of news during the Vedic period.

What does the word 'news' represent, and how has it changed historically?

The word 'news' originated as 'NEWIS' in 1423 and evolved through several versions, such as 'NEWYES' in 1485 and 'NEWS' in 1550. In Hindi and Urdu, it is commonly referred to as 'samachar' and 'khabar', respectively.

What are the four directions represented in the word 'news'?

The four directions in the word 'news' stand for North, East, West, and South, representing the flow of information coming from all directions. However, this definition is seen as incomplete, as news requires more specific elements beyond just directional information.

How can we define 'news' based on its modern interpretation?

Modernly, news is defined by its relevance, usefulness, and interest. It's not just about information coming from any direction, but also about how impactful, interesting, or significant that information is for the public.

What differentiates information from news?

Not all information becomes news. For information to qualify as news, it must include certain elements such as relevance, impact, or an unusual or extraordinary angle. Otherwise, it remains just information without becoming news.

How did Charles Anderson Dana describe news in terms of significance?

Charles Anderson Dana famously stated, 'If a dog bites a man, it's not news, but if a man bites a dog, it's news.' This underscores the idea that news often focuses on unusual, negative, or surprising events rather than the ordinary.

How has the perspective on news changed from a negative focus to a more balanced one?

The traditional view that only negative events constitute news is evolving. Today, news can also highlight positive, new, or extraordinary occurrences. News is no longer limited to the negative but encompasses a broader spectrum of events, including achievements and developments.

What are some of the key elements that make information newsworthy?

Key elements that make information newsworthy include violence, health issues, entertainment, disasters, achievements, conflicts, accidents, and developments. These elements provide the 'newsworthiness' factor that transforms mere information into a significant story.

What is the role of 'human interest' in making news?

Human interest plays a critical role in news because it connects emotionally with the audience. A story about an individual’s hardship, achievement, or tragedy often resonates widely with the public, making it newsworthy even if it concerns a single person rather than a large-scale event.