Galtung and Ruge identified an element of newsworthiness called
(A) Threshold
(B) Conduct
(C) Conviction
(D) Ideology
Correct Ans: (A)‘
Explanation
Galtung and Ruge, media researchers, developed a list of news values that determine a story’s newsworthiness. One crucial element is Threshold, which refers to the magnitude or intensity of an event required for it to be considered newsworthy.
Moreover, this concept means that the greater the impact of an event, the more likely it is to receive media attention. Consequently, events involving high numbers of people, significant losses, or major consequences gain priority in news reporting.
In addition, the Threshold effect varies based on regional and international perspectives. For example, a local protest with hundreds of participants may be headline news in a small town but might not meet the Threshold for national coverage. Therefore, an event must surpass a certain level of importance or intensity to attract widespread media interest.
Furthermore, this principle explains why large-scale disasters, major political shifts, and economic crises dominate news headlines. Consequently, stories with higher stakes and broader impact tend to receive more coverage across various media platforms.
To conclude, Threshold is a fundamental element of newsworthiness, determining whether a story is significant enough for coverage. Therefore, journalists and editors use this criterion to prioritize stories based on their overall impact and relevance.
