Breaking news refers to events that are developing, often unexpectedly. This type of news typically involves sudden, dramatic developments, such as a plane crash or building fire. It is one of the most important types of news to cover, and there is intense competition among media outlets to be first with a story that will capture the public’s attention. However, it is also important to remember that breaking news can be very difficult to get right. In a rush to be first, media outlets often end up reporting things that turn out to be wrong.
Getting information on a breaking news story usually requires relying on sources, who can be inaccurate. Eyewitness accounts are particularly risky; in the chaos of a disaster like a shooting, panicked bystanders can misreport important details. For this reason, journalists should always confirm eyewitness accounts with authorities.
Before 24-hour news networks were common, breaking news would usually cause a network to interrupt non-news programming or, in the case of a live newscast, pause the broadcast to allow local affiliates to switch over to the network feed. In recent years, some major networks have begun to use a ticker that is updated to display a breaking news story during regular programming, lessening the need for a “Newsflash” or “Special report” break.
About the Author
