Breaking news is the term used for current events that require immediate reporting to inform the public about developments that could have significant impacts. Because of its urgency, breaking news often necessitates that journalists prioritize speed over accuracy, which may lead to incomplete or inaccurate stories. Additionally, digital platforms have changed the way that breaking news is disseminated and consumed, which can influence how journalists report on these events.
In addition to the urgency, there are several ethical considerations that must be made when a story is breaking. For example, it is important to be careful not to publish names of victims of injury or death prior to ensuring that families are notified. Additionally, it is imperative that journalists refrain from reporting on rumors or speculation unless they can be confirmed by multiple sources.
During a breaking news event, it is important to have a plan for how the team will cover the story on all platforms. It is essential to determine how the team will interrupt programming, including social media and online, and how they will provide closed captioning for the hearing impaired. Lastly, it is important to have an emergency broadcast plan in place in case of any unexpected situations during the breaking news event.
Before 24-hour news channels were common, television and radio stations typically interrupted their regular programs in the event of an emergency. These interruptions were called “news alerts” or “special report.” When these events occurred, the programs would be interrupted with a special graphic and distinct music cue.