The media, in all its forms, is first and foremost interested in providing news stories that its readers or viewers want to consume. This often means favouring reporting on certain topics over others and ignoring some that are unlikely to garner much interest.
Either way, here are 10 news angles the media loves (whether we, as consumers of the news, like it or not).
The media loves a good controversy, and there's always one likely to pique their interest. Whether it's the latest celebrity scandal or a new product that's been recalled, we can always count on some form of controversy to send the media into a frenzy.
While we may not like hearing about all of these controversies, they do generate substantial amounts of traffic for news sites. Controversies are something people will read, regardless of whether they agree with the issue or not.
Think Harry and Meaghan (um...nuf said), PwC Australia's alleged tax documents leak, and the fall out from cyberhacks of personal information stored by some of Australia's largest companies. (The power of 'YES', I do now need a new driver's licence!)
While many might not agree with the position taken by the media outlet, the stories themselves generate a lot of interest (read views) and the algorithm-based news sites will react by feeding up more of the same. Like it or not, controversy sells news.
"...always count on some form of controversy to send the media into a frenzy."
As heartless as it sounds, the media enjoys reporting about disasters and tragedies. Like rubber-necked passerbys at a traffic accident, people are typically drawn to your no-so-happy news.
And not only are media consumers interested in what happened, they're also interested in how it happened, who was impacted, what they're doing now and any resulting fallout.
News outlets will often report on natural disasters or human-caused disasters that have tragic outcomes. If there is a large-scale tragedy with many fatalities, the news will cover it extensively.
"Like rubber-necked passerbys at a traffic accident, people are typically drawn to your no-so-happy news."
Celebrity news is something that has fascinated media consumers from time immemorial. And despite the proliferation of celebrity news online, consumers never appear to tire of it.
To the media, celebs are of interest because they offer up viewers and readers an escape from their day-to-day reality. Not only are we interested in how celebrities live their lives, which often involves a degree of narcissism or moral hypocrisy, their love lives and breakups will forever generate frenetic 'link clicking'.
"...despite the proliferation of celebrity news online, consumers never appear to tire of it."
We can't talk about news angles the media LOVES without mentioning crime and punishment.
In the same way true-crime has found a permanent home in our podcast selections, the topics of crime and punishment have tantalised and fascinated media consumers since journalists started reporting news - and the human condition promises to continue to feed our voracious appetites.
"...the topics of crime and punishment have tantalised and fascinated media consumers since journalists started reporting news..."
Journalists love to focus on the government and what they are doing (or not doing, as the case may be) for their local constituents. From the Prime Minister's love of curries to local council rorting scandals, the media can't get enough of it.
Entertainment and sports makes up a significant amount of the news we consume because both topics offer up stories that are highly entertaining to the public.
And given they're more likely considered lighthearted topics, these stories can take precedence over 'heavier' or more serious issues to provide some light relief.
"...offer up stories that are highly entertaining to the public."
If there is a new way to make money, the media will be all over it. Whether it's a new investment opportunity or 'sure-fire' money earner, journalists will report about it because they know that everyone is interested in how to make more money.
"...everyone is interested in how to make more money."
Whether the story's about sexual assault or just infidelity, we can always expect to hear about 'sex' in the news given its interest to just about everyone.
If context is everything, in order to understand the significance of today's news, it's necessary to put it in the context of the past - a fact not lost on the media.
"... in order to understand the significance of today's news, it's necessary to put it in the context of the past..."
The media loves a story that breaks norms, in particular stories about people who overcome obstacles to achieve enviable success. For example, a local high school dropout who develops a tech platform that makes him/her millions.
"The media loves a story that breaks norms..."
In conclusion, while there are likely millions of news angles, by working within or around these general topic themes, it's likely you'll stumble upon something YOU like, the MEDIA likes and READERS/VIEWERS like. Good luck!
PS: Are you receiving free publicity opportunities, straight into your inbox?
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