Hard News vs. Soft News

Article#1

The article, "Chinese boy survives 20-storey fall" would be considered hard news

seeing as it was up-to-minute news and was not trying to inform the reader against anything.

The article did not include any photos on the accident but it did explain

what, when, and who was involved. The article didn't include any elements of a soft news, it just mentioned how the little boy fell out the window, what injuries he had, and a similar accident that happened to a man.

Article#2

The article, "Alcohol ranked most harmful drug" would be considered soft news.
This article is trying to warn people how dangerous alcohol really is, and it even compare it to many of the most harmful illegal drugs, like crystal meth. The article included a photo of two mugs of alcohol, and there was a few quotes, one being from Wim van den Brink, a professor of psychiatry and addiction at the University of Amsterdam. "Drugs that are legal cause at least as much damage, if not more, than drugs that are illicit," he said.

Article#3

The article, "2 Montreal pizzerias firebombed" would be considered hard news since it is much more than just a human interest story; the tone is very serious, and the search for who cause it is still ongoing. The article included a picture of one of the burnt pizzerias with many of the firefighters and firetrucks still at the scene. There was no evidence of soft news but the article did mention the way both pizzerias caught fire...Molotov cocktails. Const. Anie Lemieux gives a quote about how both fires started.
"In both cases, apparently, the window was broken and a possible Molotov cocktail was thrown inside and that's what caused the fire," she says.

Article#4

The article, "Call of Duty and the war game dilemma" would be considered soft news, since it is dealing with entertainment and does not contain a very serious tone. The article included a screen shot from the game and discussed when the video game will be released. The article compared this game with other war games in the past and kept a very soft tone throughout.

Article#5

The article, "Memorials mark deaths in Afghanistan" would be considered both soft and hard news. The reason it would be considered soft news is that it is dealing with family life and how families are dealing with the deaths of their loved ones in war. However, it would also be considered hard news also because it is talking about a war that is still going on and still taking lives. The article included a photo of the monument to Afghan War dead at newly created Memorial Park at CFB Petawawa.

Is It Newsworthy?

Article #1 Breast cancer risk lower with 3 habits: study

http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2010/10/12/breast-cancer-prevention-lifestyle.html

Timing - 3/4

The timing for this article could of been sooner since the world isn't in that big of a scare about breast cancer at the moment, as it was a couple of years perversely. However, since breast cancer is still a big concern today, many people would take interest in this article.

Significance - 4/4

Since breast cancer is a worldwide disease, anyone anywhere could take interest in this article. Many people all over the globe would be concerned about how to help avoid breast cancer.

Proximity - 2/4

If you're looking at the proximity of this article as the subject of breast cancer, then it would be a 4/4, since like stated in the significance, breast cancer is worldwide. However, if you're looking at the area where the research was taken for the article, it would be a 2/4, since the area was in New York at the University of Rochester Medical Center.

Prominence - 1/4

Even though the disease is famous, no one famous quoted or gave their opinions on the article.

Human Interest - 3/4

This article definitely appealed to emotion, not of sadness, but of hope and maybe a chance for some to avoid breast cancer.


Article #2 Rapper T.L. talks suicidal man of building

http://www.cbc.ca/arts/music/story/2010/10/14/ti-rapper-suicidal-man-building-atlanta.html

Timing - 4/4

Since the article was made the day after the events happened, the timing of this article couldn't of been better.

Significance - 1/4

The only people this article really involved was the suicidal man, Clifford Harris (Rapper T.I), and the police, so not many people would be affected by this event or article.

Proximity - 2/4

The location where the event took place was in Atlanta, so the proximity would not be that high.

Prominence - 4/4

Even though the man attempting to kill himself wasn't famous at all, Rapper T.I was involved, therefore more people would be interested.

Human Interest - 1/4

This article would probably lose interest if it wasn't posting right away, so the human interest wouldn't be that great.

Man dies after Ottawa steam plant explosion

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/ottawa/story/2009/10/20/ottawa-heatin-plant-death.html

Timing - 1/4

The timing for this article is not that great since the events happened almost about a year ago, October 20, 2009.

Significance - 3/4

Even though there was only one death after the accident, many other workers were injured which also effects each of the worker's families. People who lived or were around the area at the time of the explosion would also be effected.

Proximity - 3/4

The explosion occurred in Ottawa, which isn't that far away so many people in this area would still be interested.

Prominence - 2/4

The people involved were not famous, but the steam plant is well-known.

Human Interest - 1/4

The story would more than likely get old if it was not posted right away, since the building would get fixed and the injured people will get well. The family of the worker who passed away will probably always remember, however.

Baby found in Calgary dumpster

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/calgary/story/2010/10/19/calgary-police-baby-found-dumpster-garbage.html

Timing - 4/4

The event just happened, so the timing for this article is very well.


Significance - 3/4

Many people would be effected by this article. The people who found the child, and anyone who was involved, also the people who lived in that area. Even mothers and parents would be effected by this because they have children and would think about when their children were first born.

Proximity -3/4

Even though this didn't happen that close to where we leave, it still happened in Canada which would interest a lot of Canadians.

Prominence - 1/4

Nothing famous was involved in this article.

Human Interest - 4/4

It doesn't matter who you are, anyone would be interested to read about a newborn baby being found in a dumpster. It really effects emotions since people would feel sorry about the child and anger at the mother or anyone who did that. People would be concerned about what really happened and why the baby ended up abandoned in a dumpster.