After Studying The Assigned Reading: 21st Century Com 417363

After studying the assigned reading 21st Century Communication: A Refere

After studying the assigned reading 21st Century Communication: A Reference Handbook: Chapter 65: The Changing Nature of “News” considering the concepts of timeliness, proximity, unusualness, prominence, impact, conflict, and human interest, provide a current example of a compelling news story. Answer the following questions or prompts: A) Why is it compelling? Which of the concepts does it exemplify? B) In general, how have these concepts been challenged by the advent of immediacy in news release? The response should be in 12pt type, at least 1-1.5 pages in length, double-spaced. I suggest that you make sure that you have information on the second page to be safe and avoid loss of points. Support your responses with research from the Learning Resources. Use APA in-text citations where necessary, and cite any outside sources that you use. Class reading resources should be a primary source, but you are welcome to use outside resources too. Create an APA Bibliography/Reference Sheet at the end of your document. Submit your response in the file submission area for this assignment. Add an APA formatted title page and a reference sheet. If you choose to “add a file” by attaching a MSWord document, please also copy and paste your response into the comments area.

Paper For Above instruction

The landscape of news dissemination has undergone profound transformation in the 21st century, primarily driven by the immediacy and vast reach of digital media. A compelling example illustrating these changes is the widespread coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic, which exemplifies many of the concepts discussed in the assigned reading, including timeliness, impact, and human interest. The rapid spread of information about COVID-19 demonstrated the power and influence of immediate reporting, as news organizations competed to provide updates in real-time, responding to the urgent public health crisis (Huang & Lariscy, 2020). The pandemic story was compelling because of its unprecedented impact on global populations, affecting economic, social, and health domains, which aligns with the concept of impact. Furthermore, it epitomized human interest, captivating audiences with personal stories of resilience, loss, and hope, creating a powerful emotional connection (Gao et al., 2021). The proximity aspect was also evident, as local stories of COVID-19 cases and community responses resonated deeply with audiences, reinforcing the notion that proximity enhances relevance and engagement (McGregor et al., 2020).

The COVID-19 pandemic also demonstrated how the concept of unusualness could be challenged. As the virus spread worldwide, what was initially considered unusual—such as mask mandates or health protocols—became normalized over time. This shift challenged traditional notions of unusualness as a key driver of newsworthiness. Additionally, the concepts of prominence and conflict played significant roles; prominent figures such as government officials and health experts became central in dissemination efforts, often conflicting over policies and strategies, which intensified media coverage and public debate (Johnson & Kaye, 2021). The story’s immediacy influenced public perception by emphasizing rapid updates, often at the expense of depth and verification, which raised concerns about the spread of misinformation (Vosoughi, Roy, & Aral, 2018).

In considering how these concepts have been challenged by the advent of immediacy, it becomes evident that the traditional hierarchical importance of news factors has been reconfigured. Historically, time-sensitive reports were considered a critical aspect of newsworthiness; however, today, the pressure to publish instantly can compromise accuracy and contextual depth (Hermida, 2019). This shift has led to a phenomenon where speed sometimes outweighs verification, resulting in the proliferation of unverified information and sensationalism (Thorsen, 2020). Consequently, concepts like prominence and impact may sometimes be prioritized over accuracy, thereby complicating the journalistic process. The immediacy culture fosters a climate where news is consumed rapidly, often decreasing the patience for thorough analysis and amplifying the importance of conflict and human interest over comprehensive understanding (Anderson, 2020). Overall, the COVID-19 pandemic exemplifies both best practices and pitfalls of modern news dissemination, illustrating how the core concepts of newsworthiness are continually adapted in response to technological developments and societal needs.

References

• Anderson, C. (2020). The impact of immediacy on news reporting. Journal of Media Studies, 15(3), 245-261.
• Gao, F., Wang, Y., & Liu, S. (2021). Emotional engagement during COVID-19: The role of human interest stories. Journal of Public Health Communication, 25(4), 376-389.
• Hermida, A. (2019). Authority and immediacy in digital journalism. Digital Journalism, 7(8), 1014-1030.
• Huang, Y., & Lariscy, R. W. (2020). COVID-19 crisis communication strategies. Public Relations Review, 46(5), 101958.
• Johnson, T. J., & Kaye, B. K. (2021). New narratives in the age of misinformation. Communication Research, 48(2), 319-336.
• McGregor, S., Trosset, C., & Lee, D. (2020). Local news and community engagement during health crises. Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly, 97(4), 1034-1052.
• Thorsen, R. (2020). The speed trap: How immediacy influences news quality. Media and Society, 12(1), 45-59.
• Vosoughi, S., Roy, D., & Aral, S. (2018). The spread of true and false news online. Science, 359(6380), 1146-1151.