What Is News? Galtung and Ruge revisited

What is it about?

This study aims to shed light on the news selection process by examining the news values operating in British newspapers. It updates Galtung and Ruge's 1965 study for the 21st century by putting their criteria to the test in an empirical analysis of 3 major British newspapers. The findings are used to propose a contemporary set of news values. Note that this 2001 study has again been updated in 2016: 'What is news? News values revisited (again) ', Harcup and O'Neill, Journalism Studies.

Featured Image

Why is it important?

'Analysis of the values and processes involved in the selection of news is one of the most important areas of journalism studies as it goes to the heart of what is included, what is excluded, and why. By shedding light on the values inherent in news selection we can help illuminate arguments about the wider role9s) and meaning(s) of journalism within contemporary society.' (O'Neill and Harcup, 2009, The Handbook of Journalism Studies, Eds Karin Wahl-Jorgensen and Thomas Hanitzsch, pp.162