Breaking news is any urgent or developing story that captures the audience’s attention due to its timeliness and relevance. It typically involves new and significant events such as natural disasters, accidents, or political upheavals. Unlike regular news reporting, breaking stories require immediate reporting and often interrupts existing programming to deliver updates. Its urgency can also create ethical considerations for journalists, who must balance the need to report quickly with their responsibility to ensure accuracy and avoid misinformation that could shape public perception in a negative way.
Identify key stakeholders and consider their needs during breaking news events. Determine how your station will inform the community without causing unnecessary alarm or speculation. Ensure your team has an effective plan in place for interrupting non-news programming, as well as a system to notify closed captioning so they can update their transcripts. If a caller claims to have information regarding a breaking news event, verify the telephone number and ask questions to validate the source. Confirm eyewitness accounts with authorities to ensure they are factual and not influenced by a desire to be first on air or sensationalism. During live interviews, be cautious of mentioning names of victims of injury or death until their loved ones are notified.