Breaking news is a term used to describe events that occur in real time, requiring immediate reporting. This type of news usually includes unexpected or developing events such as fires, disasters, and other emergencies that need to be covered immediately. Because of its urgency, breaking news often interrupts regular non-news programming to deliver updates, and requires journalists to gather information rapidly from eyewitness accounts, official statements, and social media.
While breaking news stories can be exciting to cover, they also carry many ethical challenges. The pressure to report quickly can lead to misinformation or sensationalism, which must be balanced with the responsibility to report accurate, factual information. In addition, the nature of breaking news can be fluid and may change even after the initial report, creating additional challenges for reporters to keep up with developments.
In the rush to be first, even well-respected news outlets can sometimes get facts wrong. To maintain accuracy, reporters must always confirm facts, avoid assumptions, and never speculate. It’s important to have a plan in place for covering breaking news, so that staff is familiar with how to respond when the time comes to interrupt programming.
When covering breaking news, prepare names and contact information of experts in a number of fields who can be put on the air quickly to provide context. Be sure to have a plan for notifying closed captioning providers in advance of breaking news that might impact the ability to serve the hearing impaired. Also, remember to never report the names of victims of injury or death on air unless that information has been confirmed and loved ones have been notified.
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