Selection, combination and mediation

Selection, Combination and Mediation in Newspapers

Selection

  • News value is one of the keys to selection. This term refers to the criteria that journalists and editors use to determine whether an event or piece of information is newsworthy.
  • Geographical proximity, prominence of individuals involved, and impact on the audience are all factors which influence selection.
  • Attention is often given to issues that align with the newspaper’s political standpoint or those that resonate with the interests of the publication’s target demographic.
  • Important to note is the ‘gatekeeping’ role held by journalists, editors and proprietors - controlling what makes it into the news and what doesn’t.

Combination

  • The combination of news stories within a newspaper is an important aspect of news management. It involves the considered arrangement of various elements to create a cohesive and engaging reader experience.
  • This could include deciding the order of stories, the placement of illustrations, inclusion of infographics, or balancing hard and soft news content.
  • The ‘lead’ story generally gets the front page and is viewed as the most crucial news item. The positioning of a story can itself convey its believed importance.
  • Consideration is given to sequencing stories to manage reader attention and interest. For instance, alternating between serious, analytical pieces and lighter, more entertaining ones.

Mediation

  • Mediation refers to the process through which events or information are interpreted and represented in a way that constructs a certain reality for the reader.
  • News media do not simply reflect reality, they play a role in shaping it. They mediate the world by selecting, interpreting, and presenting events in a particular way.
  • This process is affected by a range of factors including the ideologies of journalists, the newspaper’s editorial stance, commercial pressures and audience expectations.
  • The use of specific language, images, and angles in a story all play a part in the mediation process, subtly conveying a viewpoint or stance on the subject matter.