This is the process journalists use to determine what is newsworthy based on eight factors or news values.

Original materials, such as public record or a letter/email. These are the people with first-hand information.

A news value that determines the importance of a story, also known as “impact.”

Easier questions a reporter uses to begin an interview. They help make the source comfortable

Information provided by a source without quotation marks. Usually a close rephrasing. Not word-for-word. Must also be attributed

This news value deals with the emotional qualities of a story. Does the story evoke an emotional response?

Written account of a spoken event (i.e. speech, interview)

This news value represents a story in which two or more forces are in opposition to each other.

This news value deals with stories that are of high interest to the public; usually, these stories are based on topical, current events.

The Freedom of Information Act. Makes most records kept by the government open and available to the public

This is information that has been passed down from one person to the person being interviewed. Can be called hearsay.

This news value takes into consideration the location in which a news story occurs.

Almost anyone can publish anything on the internet, and as a result, you must make a judgment on whether the information you have is true.

This is the question that journalists pose to themselves when considering story coverage. Here, the use of news judgment (news values) is used to determine if potential audience interest exists.

Identifying the source providing information in a story.

Exact words provided by a source. Typically provided through an interview and must use quotation marks. Punctuation goes within the quotation marks.

This news value relates to a story that includes high profile individuals. Celebrities, athletes, or politicians are examples.

Questions that often begin with why, how, what happened, or tell me about. Requires more than a one sentence response.

This news value relates to the “when” of a story. Especially with hard news, this value encourages timely coverage of an event.