Breaking news is urgent and developing news that requires immediate reporting, often due to an accident or disaster. It can be very difficult to report, and may lead to inaccurate information as reporters attempt to verify reports from eyewitnesses. Breaking news can also be difficult to disseminate due to the rapid spread of information through social media, requiring journalists to balance the need for speed with the need to ensure accuracy in order to inform audiences effectively.
Breaking bad news to someone is never easy, and doing it at the wrong time or in the wrong way can make it even more difficult for both parties. It is important to prepare for this conversation by considering the person’s circumstances, history, and stake in the news. This can help you understand how they are likely to react and provide the appropriate level of detail to minimize confusion and distress.
When delivering breaking news, it can be helpful to signal the upsetting nature of the story by using words like “I have some bad news.” This allows the person to prepare for what is to come and provides a chance to ask questions. It is also important to consider the context of the news, such as whether it relates to them personally or is a national event that impacts their community.
Before 24-hour news networks, programming interruptions were reserved for the most extreme events such as the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, but now it is common for television and radio stations to interrupt programming with a breaking news crawl. Evaluate how the team prepares for these situations and how they determine when to interrupt their normal programming.