What Is News?

Between today's influences of technology and constant changes of interest, is there really a standard definition of news? We have to admit that there is a distinct difference between Hurricane Harvey sweeping away countless homes and families as opposed to being streamed live footage of adorable little Prince George eating a candy cane after attending church with Queen Elizabeth II. But, is there really a say as of what news can and cannot be?

To me, news is all information that has the potential to manipulate my life and my opinions or values. My interests are tailored to anything that catches my eye. Music, technology updates, vintage media and programs, hard and soft news as well as international and local. And most of this information is received through the convenience of the internet and social media. Usually you will catch me laid back, either index or thumb finger scrolling through Snapchat,  Facebook , Twitter, and various Google searches. My elders would rather browse a newspaper or entertain themselves after waiting for provided timely news on television. My generations rapid pace and decreasing attention span would find it more pleasing to have interchanging stories at our fingertips in order to decrease the wait.

The luxury of attention grabbing titles speeding across a screen and watching "What's Trending"  also influences my life decisions and next steps. Trends not only influence the reader/viewer, but it also influences producers and authors of said stories. In fact, factors such  as ratings and demand may be the very reason the Kardashian's life is considered just as important as any political stance or major natural phenomenon.

According the Google search, the definition of news is "newly received or noteworthy information, especially about recent or important events." The correct term is when you take this definition

       

and apply it to yourself. News is not just people spitting out words to get a paycheck. What do you demand to see? What entertains you? What do you need to know in order to sustain life and happiness? How often does this need to be updated or followed? News is about supply and demand. News would not be news without you.

[Text derived from my self-curated blog for a Report and Writing course. See original post here.]