Newsworthy Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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newsworthy

[ˈnjuːzwɜːrði ]

Definition

Context #1 | Adjective

current events

The term 'newsworthy' refers to something that is considered important, interesting, or significant enough to be reported in the news. It is often used to describe events, people, or topics that capture public attention and are deemed relevant by news organizations. Factors that can make a subject newsworthy include relevance to current events, conflict, human interest, or uniqueness. The concept plays a crucial role in journalism, as it helps editors and reporters determine what stories to cover.

Synonyms

important, noteworthy, relevant, remarkable, significant.

Examples of usage

  • The local parade was deemed newsworthy by the city's newspaper.
  • Her groundbreaking research is newsworthy due to its worldwide implications.
  • The mayor's speech on climate change was recognized as newsworthy.
  • A celebrity's controversial tweet can be considered newsworthy.

Translations

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Interesting Facts

Media Studies

  • Journalists often use a checklist to determine what makes a story newsworthy, focusing on factors like timeliness, significance, and human interest.
  • Stories about disasters, celebrity events, or social issues tend to be considered particularly newsworthy.

Psychology

  • Human brains naturally gravitate toward surprising or dramatic information, making those types of stories more engaging and memorable.
  • Research shows that stories with emotional impact, like personal struggles or triumphs, are more likely to be shared and remembered.

Cultural Perspectives

  • Different cultures may have varying definitions of what is newsworthy, influenced by local issues, values, and traditions.
  • In some societies, stories about community events or local heroes are deemed more newsworthy than international events.

Technology

  • With the rise of social media, the criteria for newsworthiness can shift rapidly, as trending topics can become stories overnight.
  • Algorithms on social media platforms curate content based on what is deemed newsworthy to the audience, leading to a new age of information dissemination.

Origin of 'newsworthy'

Main points about word origin

  • The term 'newsworthy' combines 'news,' which comes from the word 'new,' and 'worthy,' meaning deserving of attention.
  • The word became popular in the late 19th century as journalism expanded and media outlets needed a way to judge the significance of stories.

The word 'newsworthy' is a compound formed from 'news', originating from the Middle English word 'newes', itself derived from the Old English 'niwe', meaning 'new'. The suffix '-worthy' suggests value or merit. This combination began to be used in the late 19th century to describe events or information that should be reported because of their significance. As journalism evolved, the criteria for what is considered newsworthy also changed, reflecting societal interests and issues of the time. In modern contexts, the term has gained broader implications, relating to various forms of media beyond traditional news outlets, including online news platforms and social media.