Any budding journalist knows that reporting a breaking story can be an exciting experience. Since you’re reporting the news as it unfolds, you also have a front-row seat to each development that will happen. A breaking story is typically an event that is currently taking place and developing as you’re reporting it.
It could be something that unfolds in a short amount of time such as a high-speed chase on the freeway, or something that might take months to develop such as an ongoing trial for a criminal case. A breaking story has always been considered captivating by viewers since it depicts real-life conflicts and predicaments unlike in the movies.
A common breaking story typically shows a news report regarding an important event. This is why reporting a breaking story requires the perfect balance between accuracy and vigilance from the journalist. In some cases, the events of a news story might pick up in speed and it’s highly important for a journalist to stay composed and strategic when it comes to delivering a report.
Why Methodical Planning Is Essential for a Breaking Story
Being organized and well-planned is a necessary part of being a journalist. News reports typically come and go and the best way to deliver a report efficiently is to plan for something unexpected. When it comes to delivering news, especially a breaking story, being one of the first ones on the scene is essential to get the public’s favor. Typically, people prefer to follow the developments of a story from the news media outlet that was first to deliver it to them.
When covering a breaking story, journalists recognize the importance of communicating with their team. Having a game plan from the very beginning would allow them to cooperate with their team smoothly, especially in moments where the unexpected happens. The events of a breaking story can be unpredictable which is why communication and planning are both essential in the field of journalism.
A Breaking Story in Digital Journalism
With the advent of the digital age, most adults nowadays prefer to get their daily dose of news information from the world wide web. Because of this, most news media outlets have also adapted a digital way of efficiently delivering the news. Today, anyone with a smartphone can get a news notification regarding the latest stories and events around the world. Most people follow breaking stories by reading news articles from their favored news companies.
Since many people read the news on their smartphones to start their day, journalists must expound breaking news reports through well-written articles. These articles must be eloquent yet easy to read to keep the attention of modern readers. They must also release these articles promptly to constantly update their subscribers.
Though releasing a breaking story online must be done quickly, it also needs to be highly accurate and purely based on factual information. Digital journalism is a testament to how news reporting has evolved over the decades but the practice of delivering a breaking story has remained straightforward. It’s always important to remember that as responsible readers, we must always take time to assess and evaluate any information before we deem it to be factual and share-worthy.
