News Values in Journalism: 12 News Values

in Journalism Definition & Example

News Values in Journalism- 12 News Values in Journalism Definition & Examples. Also,
Elements of Newsworthiness and Examples of News Values.

News Values in Journalism

News value in journalism refers to the significant elements of newsworthiness. Journalist focuses
on maintaining news values to increase newsworthiness. The news values in journalism are
components that strongly affect newsworthiness; therefore, it is also known as the elements of
newsworthiness. The importance of news is a common principle that determines how media
outlets give priority to the news story. The components of newsworthiness set the value of the
news story. 

The 12 news values in journalism are Proximity, Controversy, Personal Influence, Suitability,

Impact, Bizarre, Human-Interest, Timeliness, Progress, Genuineness, Completeness, and
Negativeness. These elements of newsworthiness determine whether the news is necessary or not
for the readers. Therefore, they are also called determinants of news. However, the media
practitioners focus on these elements to increase the value of the news long ago.

Print journalism is one of the primary forms of journalism in mass media following broadcast
and online journalism. It has different forms of journalism: art journalism, investigative
journalism, sports journalism, and yellow journalism. The journalists focus on news value to
collect and publish news through newspapers. The news value in journalism has become a
crucial factor to justify the importance of the news story. 

News Values

The 12 News Values in Journalism are:

1. Proximity
2. Personal influence
3. Controversy
4. Suitability
5. Impact
6. Bizarre
7. Human Interest
8. Timeliness
 9. Progress
10. Genuineness
11. Completeness
12. Negativeness

12 News Values in Journalism

1. Proximity News Value

Proximity refers to the area of the event where the incident takes place. It also indicates the
location of the news event. Proximity is one of the significant news values in journalism. The
proximity or location of the news event affects the value of news. The more closure of the place,
the more interested in reading the information. The readers feel more excited to read the news
story if it occurred near them. So, proximity affects newsworthiness positively; hence, it is a
significant element of newsworthiness. 

For example, “Water pollution problem in Johor Bahru.”

2. Controversy News Value

Controversy means a conflict news story that adds newsworthiness. It is also known as
disagreement of the news event: the more controversial the news, the more critical the report to
the readers. Controversy attracts the audiences to read the information, which adds sensation to
the news story. People are always eager to identify the truth behind the conflict. So, controversy
is another crucial news value in journalism or element of newsworthiness. 

For example, the BJP minister says that the Taj Mahal was a Shiva temple long ago. Malaysia
Airlines flight MH370: explaining media controversy.

3. Personal Influence News Value

Personal influence refers to the prominence of the person to the newsworthiness. A famous
person always plays a significant role in increasing the news value. Therefore, media cover well-
known person’s news, including politicians, sportsperson, and celebrities. The audiences feel a
close connection with their idol people. For example, the followers of Lionel Messi, also a
famous football player, will read any news related to Messi. The widest of the personal
prominence, the most value the news.
For Example, Athletic, Artist, and Politician

4. Suitability News Value

Suitability denotes the involvement of the public in the topics. The news story is more
newsworthy if more people are involved with the issue. It is also known as the much-talked issue
in the country. The more people involved, the more value the news in journalism. 

For example, around 30,000 students of University Putra Malaysia have registered for vaccines.

Also, “Many were killed in the crash, 1 million youths gathered in Putrajaya.”

5. Impact News Value

Impact refers to the physical influence of news writing on a large audience. The impact affects
the value of news significantly to attract audiences. The more people engaged in the news, add
more importance of the topic. For example, the COVID-19 pandemic has been the most relevant
issue to attract people to read any updated news related to the topic. Therefore, News media feel
interested in covering any news related to the coronavirus. It has a significant impact on
audiences.

For example, “Price hiking and the COVID-19 pandemic.”

6. Bizarre News Value

Bizzare is a significant element to increase the value of the news. Bizzare means strange, and
naturally, people like to read, watch and talk about weird issues. Therefore, journalists publish
strange events to attract audiences. It added value to the news and boosted circulation. 

For Example, “Africa’s Real-Life Mowgli Loves to Live Amid Trees.”

7. Human-Interest News Value

Human-interest news stories get attention from a massive number of people automatically. It
includes the much-talked event and issues of the country. Internation topics have also become
human-interest stories due to globalization. For example, during the FIFA world cup, people
from around the world talk about Football everywhere. So, journalists think carefully about
picking a news topic to get more viewers.
For example. “Euro Cup 2021 final date and match time.”

8. Timeliness (Fast News) News Value

Definition of Timeliness in Journalism

Timeliness in journalism means providing information to the audience quickly. The quicker the
news is published, the more important getting to the audiences. Journalists want to publish news
as soon as possible to increase the corporate reputation of the media outlet. The audience gives
more value to the mass media outlet that disseminates the news first.

Timeliness is an occasion that enhances the value of news. People do not like to read the same
news repeatedly; therefore, news outlets show interest in disseminating information as soon as
possible. It is related to current and ongoing events. For example, many newspapers publish
news regarding Olympic issues when the event is continuing. Newspapers will not be interested
in disseminating information related to the Olympic games when the event is ended.

For example, in May 2021, many passengers were injured due to the LRT crash. Many news
outlets cover the news to get the audience’s attention. However, people give more importance to
the newspapers that publish the news quickly. For example, “Malaysia LRT crash: Train was
driven in wrong direction, 6 critically injured”.

9. Progress News Value

Progress news in journalism refers to the sensational update of the current news or events that
journalist focuses on to attract more audiences. It adds massive value to the news story to attract
the audience. Progress news is always attractive to the audience for its advancement. The
progress news is delivered through press conferences and seminars.

For example, the health ministry disseminates the updated number of the total COVID-19
affected patient through the press conference. So, it is an example of a progress news story.

10 Genuineness News Value

Genuine news means an authentic story collected from a trustable source. People always want to
know the fact of the news. The audience determines the authenticity of the news through the
genuine witness and trustworthy source of the news.
For example, according to the WHO, 192 million people have been affected by the coronavirus,
and 4.13 people have died. Most people will believe this news as the World Health Organization
(WHO) disseminates the information via press conference.

11. Completeness News Value

Complete news includes 5Ws and 1 H news writing methods. The five Ws and one H rules of
report writing denote the who, what, when, where, why, and how. A journalist should find all
these questions’ answers to make the report comprehensive to the audience. People do not like
incomplete news and ambiguous information. Therefore, every reporter must focus on the 5W
and 1 H reporting strategies to make the report more attractive and accepted by the readers.

In conclusion, every reporter needs to follow these four significant elements to make the news
more attractive to the audience.

12. Negativeness News Value

Negative news spreads faster than positive. People discuss and share negative events more than
ordinary news. Negative news occurs for a short term period than positive news. Netizens share
this type of news on social media excessively. Therefore, negative news goes viral quickly.

For example, “Drunk singer smashes neighbor car drastically.”

Conclusion

The 12 news values in journalism are Proximity, Controversy, Personal Influence, Suitability,

Impact, Bizarre, Human-Interest, Timeliness, Progress, Genuineness, Completeness, and
Negativeness that increase the newsworthiness. Apart from them, the additional news values in
journalism are romance, crime, and technology.