14.2 Editorial judgment and news selection criteria

Editorial judgment is the backbone of newsroom decision-making. It's how journalists decide what stories to cover and how to present them. This process shapes public opinion and keeps society informed, balancing newsworthiness, audience interest, and ethical considerations.

News selection involves weighing factors like timeliness, impact, and relevance. Editors must apply critical thinking, evaluate sources, and consider ethical implications. The goal? Deliver accurate, balanced reporting that serves the public interest while maintaining the news organization's integrity.

Editorial judgment in news

Defining editorial judgment

Top images from around the web for Defining editorial judgment

• 

  The Decision Making Process | Organizational Behavior and Human Relations View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Frontiers | FIJI: A Framework for the Immersion-Journalism Intersection View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Chapter 4: Newsworthiness – Broccoli and Chocolate: A Beginner’s Guide to Journalism News Writing View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  The Decision Making Process | Organizational Behavior and Human Relations View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Frontiers | FIJI: A Framework for the Immersion-Journalism Intersection View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

Top images from around the web for Defining editorial judgment

• 

  The Decision Making Process | Organizational Behavior and Human Relations View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Frontiers | FIJI: A Framework for the Immersion-Journalism Intersection View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Chapter 4: Newsworthiness – Broccoli and Chocolate: A Beginner’s Guide to Journalism News Writing View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  The Decision Making Process | Organizational Behavior and Human Relations View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Frontiers | FIJI: A Framework for the Immersion-Journalism Intersection View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

• Editorial judgment refers to the decision-making process used by journalists and editors to determine which stories and information to cover, prioritize, and present to the public
• Involves evaluating the newsworthiness, relevance, and potential impact of stories, as well as considering factors such as audience interest, available resources, and the overall mission of the news organization
• The exercise of sound editorial judgment is crucial for maintaining the credibility, integrity, and public trust in a news organization (New York Times, BBC)
• Effective editorial judgment ensures that the most significant and relevant stories are covered, while less important or irrelevant stories are filtered out, thus providing the public with the information they need to make informed decisions

Significance of editorial judgment

• Editorial judgment plays a critical role in shaping public opinion, as the stories and information selected by news organizations influence how people perceive and understand events, issues, and trends
• Sound editorial judgment contributes to a well-informed society, enabling citizens to make informed decisions and participate effectively in democratic processes (elections, public debates)
• Helps maintain the credibility and trust of news organizations, as audiences rely on their judgment to provide accurate, balanced, and relevant information
• Ensures that limited resources (staff, budget, time) are allocated efficiently to cover the most important and impactful stories, maximizing the value and impact of news coverage

Factors influencing news selection

Newsworthiness criteria

• Timeliness: Stories that are current and relevant to the present moment, such as breaking news, recent events, or developing trends (COVID-19 pandemic)
• Proximity: Stories that are geographically or emotionally close to the target audience, such as local news, events affecting a specific community, or issues that resonate with people's experiences and concerns (California wildfires)
• Prominence: Stories involving well-known individuals, organizations, or institutions, such as celebrities, politicians, or major corporations (Elon Musk's Twitter acquisition)
• Consequence: Stories that have a significant impact or potential consequences for individuals, communities, or society as a whole, such as policy changes, natural disasters, or scientific breakthroughs (climate change, medical advances)
• Human interest: Stories that evoke emotional responses, such as compassion, inspiration, or curiosity, by highlighting personal experiences, achievements, or challenges (human interest features, profiles)
• Novelty: Stories that are unusual, surprising, or unexpected, such as rare events, innovative ideas, or unconventional perspectives (record-breaking achievements, unique inventions)

Audience and organizational factors

• Relevance: Assessing the significance of a story to the target audience, considering factors such as geographic area, demographic characteristics, and potential impact on their lives (local sports team performance for a city newspaper)
• Audience interest: Balancing the need to inform with the desire to engage and retain the audience, while avoiding sensationalism or pandering to popular tastes (providing a mix of hard news and lighter, entertaining stories)
• Resource availability: Considering factors such as staff, budget, and time when selecting stories, as limited resources may require prioritizing some stories over others (assigning reporters to cover high-priority events)
• Organizational mission and values: Aligning news selection with the overall purpose, goals, and ethical standards of the news organization, such as a focus on investigative journalism, community service, or advocacy for specific causes (ProPublica's emphasis on exposing abuses of power)

Evaluating news stories

Applying critical thinking

• Analyzing and questioning the validity, reliability, and significance of information, rather than accepting it at face value (verifying claims made by sources)
• Assessing the credibility and reliability of sources, verifying facts, and seeking multiple perspectives to ensure accurate and balanced reporting (fact-checking statements made by politicians)
• Evaluating the potential impact and consequences of a story, considering both short-term and long-term effects on individuals, communities, and society (assessing the implications of a proposed policy change)
• Considering the ethical implications of editorial decisions, weighing factors such as privacy, sensitivity, and the potential for harm against the public's right to know (deciding whether to publish the name of a crime victim)

Making informed decisions

• Applying critical thinking skills enables editors to make informed and defensible decisions, prioritizing stories that serve the public interest and contribute to a well-informed society
• Informed decision-making involves synthesizing information from various sources, considering multiple perspectives, and anticipating potential outcomes or consequences (deciding how to cover a controversial issue fairly and comprehensively)
• Requires a deep understanding of the news organization's mission, values, and target audience, as well as an awareness of the broader social, political, and cultural context in which the news is being reported (selecting stories that align with the organization's commitment to social justice)
• Involves ongoing learning, adaptation, and refinement of editorial judgment based on feedback, results, and changing circumstances (adjusting coverage based on audience response or emerging developments)

Ethical considerations in editorial judgment

Principles and responsibilities

• Accuracy: Ensuring that all information presented is factually correct, verified, and free from errors or misleading statements (double-checking facts and figures before publication)
• Fairness: Providing balanced and impartial coverage, presenting multiple perspectives, and avoiding bias or favoritism (giving equal time to opposing viewpoints on a controversial issue)
• Transparency: Being open and honest about the sources of information, the methods used to gather and verify it, and any potential conflicts of interest (disclosing the relationship between a journalist and a source)
• Serving the public interest: Prioritizing stories and information that contribute to the well-being, knowledge, and empowerment of the audience and society, rather than promoting personal, political, or commercial agendas (investigating corruption in government institutions)
• Minimizing harm: Being mindful of the potential impact of news coverage on individuals and communities, and taking steps to minimize harm or unintended consequences (avoiding the use of graphic or sensationalized images)

Balancing competing interests

• Privacy: Protecting the privacy and safety of individuals involved in news stories, particularly in cases involving minors, victims of crime, or sensitive personal information (withholding the names of sexual assault survivors)
• Right to know: Balancing the public's right to be informed about matters of significance with the need to respect privacy and minimize harm (deciding whether to publish information about a public figure's health condition)
• Ethical decision-making: Navigating complex ethical dilemmas that arise in the course of news gathering and reporting, and making decisions that uphold professional standards and codes of ethics (deciding whether to use anonymous sources or undercover reporting methods)
• Organizational reputation: Being mindful of the potential impact of editorial decisions on the reputation and credibility of the news organization, as well as the trust of the audience (handling corrections or retractions in a transparent and accountable manner)
• Societal responsibility: Recognizing the role and influence of journalism in shaping public opinion, discourse, and policy, and using editorial judgment responsibly to contribute to a well-functioning democracy and a just society (covering issues of inequality, discrimination, or social justice with sensitivity and depth)