What is News?

Which of these best describes the job of journalist? 

• Someone who finds and reports newsworthy stories. 
• Someone who watches the news.
  
• Someone who promotes politicians and businesses. 
• Someone who waves in the background of the Today Show.

Which of these headlines is NOT news? 

• US President to visit UK
  
• Record high temps on the first day of Spring
• Student drops pen during lesson.
  

• Olympic athlete breaks 100m record. 

Which one is NOT a quality that makes something newsworthy?

• Timeliness
• Novelty (New)

• Entertaining
• Objective

Answer explanation

Just because you LIKE to read about something doesn't necessarily make it news. It needs to meet all the other criteria.

Sources for a story are... 

• People journalists talk to when they are researching stories. 
• Notebooks which contain a journalist's research. 
• The big TV screens in the newsroom. 
• All the people in your phone.

A teacher of a local elementary school tells you that she's upset about a proposal to close her school. What headline would you choose that helps the story be the MOST objective?

• Head teacher saves school.
• Head teacher upset over school closure plan.
  
• Head teacher attacks council over school closure 
• Head teacher announces school closure.
  

Which of these is NOT a news medium? 

• TV
• Radio
• The principal
• Apple News

Which story is NOT an example of timely news?

• Chloe Kim, the oldest Olympic athlete, won her first gold medal at 17 years old.

• Members of the football team ineligible to play after caught drinking.
• A record number of French people applied for U.S. citizenship this year.
• There are many homeless people in Cedar Rapids according to the mayor.

What element of news is usually proven with statistics, places and quotes?

• Factual

• Creators Clearly Identified

• Objective

• Timeliness

Answer explanation

While we look for these things for all areas, facts most often rely on things that can be proven such as data and statistics.

Which two concepts are the most important values of news? 

• Accuracy and Good Stories
• Fake News and True News
• Sources and Research
• Truth and Accuracy

Which of these would be a need to know news story to a high school audience?

• Free school meals for all elementary school children.
• Ten high schools in Iowa to close this year.

• Bubble wrap helps students to tackle exam stress.
• United Airline's profits sore.