The News: A Backgrounder

Understanding News

News is difficult to define because it has many variables, but one needs to determine what is newsworthy when deciding
what to write about for his or her story assignments.

Try to process this. News must be factual, yet not all facts are news. A news item is based on actual occurrences,
situations, thoughts and ideas, yet not all facts are news. For instance, a dog bites a typical man. This is not a news for
many, but when a typical man bites a dog, this may be newsworthy to some. Here, the logical nature of news may be
drawn, such that, the taste of news depends on the interest of and impact to the reader.

To attain a wide array of perspectives and meanings about news, the definitions of news according to Philippine
journalism authors are surveyed and are listed below. According to Soriano et al. (2012), a news is any oral or written
report of an event that happened, is happening, will happen in the North, East, West and South (NEWS) that is of interest
to the reader and which should be reported.

From Soriano's definition, three primary considerations in defining news are drawn. First, news is reported through
airwaves and in written form. Second, anything can become news, whether the event is already done, is being done, or
shall still be conducted. Third, the news considers the interest of the reader in accepting the impact of the news, that is, a
news for somebody may not be a news to another person.

Malinao (2008) also attempted to define news by pointing out that news is basically about an event, idea or a reaction that
is presented factually and simply in written form to give the reader an idea of what is currently happening around him or
her, particularly on matters of interest to the community.

This lengthy definition by Malinao (2008) gives the notion that news may include or encompass any topic including a
speech or a simple feedback. Moreover, it stresses that news is generally written and is based on facts.

Another perspective about news is given by Estrada and Singh (1987). Though the date of publication may seem to be
antiquated for some, for the purpose of tracing the perspective, the definition is included.

Estrada and Singh opined, "News is a timely factual report of events, ideas or situations interesting or significant to
people. Others define it as literature in a hurry." Estrada and Singh's definition gives an added perspective on time
elements. Literature in a hurry therefore means that news should be publicized at its freshness. It means that the life span
of a news may be so short that it expires right away and that it can be buried when new angles of the news or topic are
broadcast.

Additional viewpoint is also written by Puig and Flores (2005). They posited that news is any information that is
significant to a particular set of readers. Simply put, they qualified news according to its relevance and interest of the
readers.

Another pair of Filipino journalist writers, Soriano and Henson (1999), provides a seemingly technical definition of news.
They inscribed that news is a reportage of accurate facts, events and ideas that interest a large number of readers.
Anything that is refreshed or regenerated is also news. Here, the definition looks into the newness of idea that responds to
the interest of the readers. The definition marries the idea of immediacy and interest; ergo, the newer the angle of the
story, the more interesting it is to the readers.

Lastly, Pangilinan (2012) provides another definition which goes, "news is information that has a meaning for a set of
readers." Hence, the bases of all news are facts, interest and readers.

From all the definitions above, news can be coined by stating that it is a timely reportage of events, regardless of time and
manner, which are grounded on facts. It considers nearness, importance, impact and interest to the public.
News in School Papers

With the concept of news in mind, a student journalist should remember that concerns the school, its students, the
teachers, including the parents is newsworthy.

News in school may include worthwhile or extraordinary acts of students like: opening of a new college, inauguration of
the new building, stories of success, conflicts or suspense, school convocations and other programs, interviews of visiting
personalities, merging of two colleges, increasing tuition and other fees, new grading system and the like.

Characteristics of a Good News

One can gauge the worthiness of a news by some qualities that emanate from the subject's nature and functions. The
characteristics that are discussed below become one's yardstick to determine whether an issue is worth publishing or
broadcasting. In such sense, when a student writer has a limited space for a news, he/she tries to weigh the importance of
the news that will occupy a space in the paper by enumerating the attributes of news that are present in both stories.
Hence, the more attributes or characteristics a story has, the more effective it is to become catchy, interesting and worth
reading...the more it becomes appealing to the readers.

1. Timeliness or Immediacy
This characteristic of a news item underscores the newest angle of the story. For instance, the changing of the
grading system which was announced yesterday is more appealing to a student other than the Christmas party last
December. It should be noted, too, that the more recent the event, the more appealing it is to the reader.

2. Conflict
The physical and mental struggles of persons are also newsworthy. In campus context, competitions like
oratorical contests and quiz bees are newsworthy due to the mental conflicts present. Sports events during
intramurals or foundation days are newsworthy, too, as they have physical conflicts.

3. Proximity or Nearness
Although proximity primarily refers to geographical location, it likewise means the nearness of interest and
appeal. In the context of writing news in the campus or school for students in Batanes what is happening to
Batanes State College will be of more interest to them than what is happening to Western Mindanao State
University. The imposition of "no cellphone policy" in Batanes State College will interest the Batanes' readers
more than the zero tuition scheme of Akian State University, so to speak.

4. Accuracy
Journalism is anchored on facts. News writing is a journalistic skill. Therefore, the contents should be accurately
reported. Accuracy primarily refers to the factualness of news as purveyor of truth.

5. Significance
If something is important to the reader, surely he/she will read the news. Hence, a writer should survey whatever
is significant to the life of the target readers and write about it. When news is important to him/her, the news bears
a high degree of significance, thus, newsworthy and worth reading. In the campus setting, topics that are highly
significant include new rules imposed by the administration or the student government, amendments to policies,
upcoming big events, results of scholarship screening and the like.

6. Prominence and Names

"The world is unfair," so the adage goes. In this light, there are persons more popular than others. Popular names
can effectuate situations and their acts may be more interesting to others. Hence, news about these persons can
yield a high degree of newsworthiness, thus becoming more readable than other news. For campus papers,
prominent personalities include the president of the student body, the principal, the student who won in a national
competition and the like.
7. Drama
Since news is also anchored on public interest, writers should bank on any story that can lead the writers to crying
or to laughing. Such story is packed with color; thus, subjects are moving. In this way, the news becomes
appealing to the readers. For instance, you write a story of the student leader who manages to graduate as magna
cum laude despite his five-year term as the College Student Government President.

8. Oddity or Unusualness
Sociology can explain why oddity is a good element of news. A theory explains that when persons are curious
about a phenomenon deviating from a natural course, they will be interested in such a topic or issue; hence, that
topic becomes newsworthy. Looking into the campus situation, one may write about a forty-year-old student who
has just graduated; he has just finished his fifth bachelor's degree in your college. This unusual situation may be
so intriguing as regards the student's purpose, therefore, becoming more newsworthy to the readers.

9. Romance and Adventure

"Love makes the world go round," so a song says. Hence, stories about love, 9. Romance and Adventure
including adventure, may ignite the taste of the reading public. This is also the reason why showbiz news
continuously booms. Attaining breakthroughs and achieving scientific discoveries are given much.

10. Progress
Attaining breakthrough and achieving scientific discoveries are given much attention by the readers. This attribute
of the news gives a high degree of shock and a sense of development in the society where the persons live.
Looking into ma be in the form a newly constructed building and a
school situation, progress may be in the form of newly constructed building and newly donated laboratory,
equipment from alumni abroad.

11. Numbers
For persuasion, statistics or figures have the power to shake the conviction of the audience. This is why numbers
yield a very strong impact on the readers. However, the figures that one should write should be worth
appreciating. For instance, the Alumni Association donated one computer set last January, while the Parent
Teachers Association donated 57 computer sets to the school. The latter yields a higher degree of newsworthiness
than the former. It is not safe to say, however, that the higher the figure, the higher is its newsworthiness. Say,
your school has performed in the National Achievement Test 50% lower than last year's data. This is a figure
lower than the usual and yet bears a high degree of interest.
Types of News Stories

Here are the following types of news stories according to their classifications.
1. According to Chronology or Sequence
a. Spot News. As the term suggests, this is a news story that gathers information as it is broadcast at the same
time. Hence, it is unscheduled and demands immediate publication. In many instances, the reporter becomes
the first hand witness to the activity or subject taking place. For instance, a student journalist happens to be
standing at the gate when a jeepney bumps an education student. He writes the story and publishes it in the
weekly newsletter of the college.
b. Coverage News. Many interchange spot news and coverage news. Though both of them are good avenues for
firsthand information, the difference between the two is that coverage news is written based on the given
assignment to the reporter or news writer. The assignment is sometimes called beat. It means that the writer
knows what to write about. For example, the chief editor wants to publish what transpires in the academic
meeting, so he assigns, Jessica, a writer to cover the meeting. Jessica knows what she shall write about and
shall be concentrated only on the meeting, thus, her beat.
c. Advance News. When a writer crafts news about an upcoming event, say, meeting de avance of running
student leaders, change of opening of classes for the next academic year and an announcement of new
uniforms to take effect next semester, he/she actually writes an advance news. In advance stories, writers'
skills in creating many new perspectives on a subject are tested so as to create climax when the event
happens. Sometimes, series stories are created with one or two reporters guarding the newest angles of the
event or situation.
d. Follow-up News. While advance news is predictive, follow-up news looks into the upshot to an event or
situation. For instance, a reporter wrote a news about the imposition of the new uniform effective this
semester, then in the next issue he shall write on the ideas and comments of the students about the new
uniform, or the problems they now meet.

2. According to Range and Reach

a. Local News: This is a news item. The subject of which happens in one's own community where the paper
originates. For instance, The Builders, the official student organ of Batanes State College, covers the
installation of the underground electrification system in the province; the news is said to be a local news since
it is about the province itself.
b. National News: Countrywide news is called national news. It is determined when the news impacts the people
of a certain country. Most national news is published in the dailies.
c. Foreign News: All news items which trace their origin from outside the boarders of the country are called
foreign news. Some foreign news articles also create impact to typical locals due to their domino effect like
the oil price hike in the world market.
d. Dateline News: An out-of-town news story. This news is introduced by a dateline which states the place from
which the story was reported, the date, and the source of the material if not written by the local staff.

3. According to Construction
a. Straight News. The first paragraph answers the most important W (what, where, when, why, who) depending
on which of the W's is the most prominent among them. Its body paragraphs consist of the elaboration on the
W's and the H. It is written using the inverted triangle structure.
Example:
Thirty-four barangay officials are now more familiar with the ins and outs of good governance after
undergoing various activities during the capability building seminar and training at Community Outreach
Center on February 18, 2014. (Presentation of Who)
The participants coming from barangays Sta. Maria, Magapit and Paranum were lectured on the rules of
parliamentary procedure by Prof. Edmond A. Usal, CA dean; Katarungang Pambarangay Law by Mr.
Sherwood Gayodan, CA faculty; Internet literacy through Mrs. Mary Jane B. Habon; and preparation of
Memorandum of Agreement and minutes of meeting by Prof. Gemma R. Pascual, CTE faculty. (Elaboration
of Who)
After the discussion, the participants were given workshops like demonstrating parliamentary procedures
and making an actual Memorandum of Agreement. (Additional information about what the "who" did)
Meanwhile, in her welcome remarks, Dr. Leonita P. Garcia underscored the need for cooperation among
the barangay officials and the campus administration to materialize the goals of the institution. (Least
 information about another "who')

b. News Feature. This special type of news should not be confused with the feature articles (features). News
feature is sometimes called special features and printed in the features sections of the newspapers or in the
magazines. Human interest and news-feature stories are classified as news since both are gathered and written
daily by reporters as their regular assignments. Furthermore, both emphasize the elements of timeliness or
immediacy which distinguish news from other types of reading, although they differ in important respects
from the straight news story.
Example:
Love is in the air, indeed, in the Batanes State College as cut outs of hearts are in a riot of multicolored
lights and decors hung upon everywhere and even, way.
However, the "Feb-ibig" celebration reached its climax when the traditional promenade participated in
by students, teachers, parents, community and even barangav members was conducted at the Aquino
Grandstand, February 14.
To make the occasion more symbolic and relevant, students also had a "hearts.: lantern parade" capped
with ballroom dances.

1) Single-Feature or One-Incident Story. It may be an account of a speech, an interview, an election, that

deals with an isolated event. In writing a news-feature story with this kind of structure, include the one-
feature id the lead. Add in the body details which clarify and explain the lead. See that the story breaks
logically at every paragraph and that the story may be cut if lengthened as space dictates.

2) The Several-Feature, Multiple-Angle or Composite Story. In a composite story, two or more divergent
aspects of a news topic are drawn together for the sake of space and coherence. In structure, the
composite story may resemble that of a follow-up story in that both of them aim to consolidate
component parts. However, they differ in the sense that the follow-up story ends in a tie-in with a past
story; whereas, the composite story is composed of units, each one made up of fresh spot news frequently
with reference to the future. In writing, the several-feature or composite story, include all of the features
in a comprehensive lead in the order of their importance. The next step is Lead to explain and elaborate in
the body each of the features in the order which they are in the lead. In doing this, relegate less important
details of each feature to less important positions. But remember that each chain of facts although covered
separately should be handled as a single, unified story.

c. Fact Story
This is plain exposition of a simple situation of a series of closely related events
which conform to the inverted triangle design more closely than any other kinds of news. The component
parts are the series of facts that may be likened to rectangles of diminishing length arranged one after the
other in order of their importance. The key to proper arrangement consists solely in judging the relative value
of the data at hand and in grouping them in their respective order.
Example:
"The campus student population this semester totals to 1,814. That marks 11.63% increase as
compared to 1603 total head count during the semester last year."

This was the statement of Mr. Leslie A. Panaligan, campus registrar, when the Innovator staff inquired
about the student headcount of the campus.

The registrar said that the campus population has been dramatically increasing for the past years
based on the data recorded in his office.

"Based on our record, the campus is continuously welcoming students with 5 to 15 percent range
increase every year, and this semester notches almost 12 percent hike," Mr Panaligan mentioned.

Showing the summary of enrolment, he pointed out that among the five colleges of the campus, the
College of Agriculture has the highest number of enrolees with a total of 590 students.

Trailing behind the biggest college is the College of Teacher Education with 531 students enroled in its
 BSEd and BEEd programs.

The College of Information and Computing Sciences followed with 360 headcount while the College of
Hospitality Industry Management trailed next taking supervision of the 263 BSHIM students.

Although still the smallest college, the College of Arts has 70 students remarkably far from its 55
students during the same term last year.

"Such increase is attributed to the cooperation of everyone in scouting students to enrol in the offered
programs or courses of the campus. The continuous career guidance held every second semester is also a
great help," the campus registrar declared when asked about the reason why such percentile hike is attained
this semester.

Source: Jenerwin M. Columna from The Innovator November 2013

d. Action Story
This is a narrative involving not merely simple facts but dramatic actions — incidents, description of persons,
perhaps testimonies of witness, as well as explanatory data. In reading this kind of story, first write a
summarizing lead in any appropriate form. Relate the most important details in narrative or chronological
form. Tell the story again by giving more details. But be careful not to begin the chronological order just after
beginning. Give sufficient attention to the elaboration of important information, background and
interpretation. Each unit must be closely interlocked.

Example:
Mobilizing its destructive forces built into an empire fortifying its impenetrable stronghold, the AB
Political Science-Agriculture Team, known as Mighty A's, wreaked havoc frightening and sending its foes to
their knees to capture the trophy for the over-all champion in sports for this year's intramurals.

After the three gruelling days that started September 21, mighty A's rallied its way to victory with a
comfortable lead after amassing a total of 66 gold.

Trailing far behind was Fearless Technocrats with 54 gold, followed by the once-formidable Titans of
the College of Education as third placer having hauled only 51 gold; landing on the fourth are the Memory
Makers of HIM.

The winning team dominated other competing teams in softball, baseball, athletics, badminton, and
sepak takraw and was adjudged Most Disciplined Team and Best in Booth.

Asked about team's stratagem in winning, Jackilou Berbano, College of Agriculture Student
Government (CASG) Mayor, and Jomar Abadilla, Political Science Club president, said they attribute their
success to the concerted efforts of the agriculture and political science students and faculty, who were always
at their back to uphold them in every game.

Meanwhile, the Memory Makers of the Hospitality Industry Management (HIM) defended its throne in
the Literary-Musical Contest as it garnered four gold in vocal solo, vocal duet, and song writing contest.
The Titans of the College of Education also prevailed in the academic competitions with nine gold
reaped in almost all contested activities.

Further, Ferdinand Bulusan, BSE-IV student, was declared Hall of Famer in oration for being a tree-
time and two-time champion in oration in the campus and in the university, respectively.

All winning students will represent the campus in the university meet to be held at CSU Carig on
November 23-25, 2011.

Source: The Innovator of CSU Lal-lo November 2011

e. Speech, Report, Quote, and Interview Stories
The arrangements of a speech report, a quote story and of an interview are to great extent similar. The quote
story may be charted as alternating large and small rectangles of diminishing size: summary, quote,
summary, quote, summary arrangement. The quotations may be direct, indirect, or a combination of both.
1. In writing this kind of story, the following suggestions may be helpful:
2. Write a summarizing lead in any appropriate form.
3. Write the body of the story in a summary-quote-summary arrangement.
4. The lead may be a summarizing statement — the gist of the speech, statement, letter, or interview; or
it may be the most important quotation in the story written as direct quote.
Example: Quote Story

"A little pain, a life to gain."

This was the statement of Mr. Joeffrey Usabal, one of those who attended the Bloodletting activity held at
Aladino M. Dupaya Sr. Gymnasium, Centro, Lal-lo, Cagayan, August 4.

"It was a very noble undertaking and I am very happy to be a part of it. That single pain I felt is truly
nothing when I compare the effect of it to the sick people of the community," Mr. Usabal continued as
showed a small prick in his hand.

Themed with "Every Blood Donor is a Hero", the bloodletting activity is simultaneous to the launching of the
WE CARE Program of the Local Government Unit of Lal-lo during the celebration of 433'1 Patronal Town
Fiesta held last August 2014.

Led by the Municipal Nutrition Committee, the whole-day activity was attended by various blood donors
including qualified students of Cagayan State University at Lal-lo.

"It is a way of realizing our desire to help save lives in danger. Truly, a single bag of blood wholeheartedly
shared is worth of life," he disclosed.

Meanwhile, Prof Rogelio T. Tamayo, campus executive officer, thanked the student donors for their
willingness to help.

"It was not just a show of help to the activities of the Local Government Unit of Lal-lo, but it was actually a
way for CSUL students to realize the real value of sharing and saving lives through donating blood," he
added. "We hope that the desire of our students to help and participate in such kind of activity will not end.
The spirit of helping others is one of those things I want to inculcate to you [students], so keep it up," the
CEO disclosed.

Source: Kristal Faith Pagaduan, The Innovator November 2014

Example: Speech Report Story

"I am deeply honored to receive this resolution of commendation... but I know, I just did this for the
betterment of the campus."

This is the statement of Dr. Perfecto V. Vivit, campus executive officer of CSU Lal-lo, after receiving a
resolution of commendation from the municipality of Calayan for his full commitment and immediate
approval in the cacao partnership project of the Cacao Growers Cooperative and the campus.

According to Mr. Tito Maquiraya, one of the councilors of the municipality of Calayan, their town is very
grateful for the approval of the project since most of the members of the cooperative come from Calayan
 Moreover, a large number of cacao seedlings will come from their municipality which contributes in the
promotion of the town's production.

"Hindi lang yan, isang malaking garantiya kasi ang binigay ng campus ninyo, of course, sa pangunguna ni Dr.
Vivit, kaya talagang sukdulan ang pasasalamat ng aming bayan," Mr. Maquiraya added.

Asked about his main objective of approving the project, Dr, Vivit said that it was just practical for the campus
to make good production rate and the project was a large key.

"In fact, this is a win-win project; we help them, they help us. The production that we will get from the project
will surely be very useful to elevate quality education and to improve learning facilities," Vivit disclosed.

Source: Ferdinand Bulusan November 2013

4. Minor News Forms

a. News Brief. This is a short item of news interest, written like a brief, telegraphic message. It gives mainly the
result with few details.
b. News Bulletin. It is similar to the lead of a straight news story. Its aim is just to give the gist of the news.
c. News Featurette. This is a short news feature usually used a fillers, say, quirks in the news.
d. Sidebar. It is a news item or a feature placed side by side its mother story to which it is related but under a
headline of its own.
e. Flash. This is a message giving first brief news of an event. It is usually boxed.