Breaking news is real-time, fast-moving stories about current events. They can be about a plane crash, a fire or even a natural disaster such as a hurricane. They are often the most important stories of the day and have a big impact on public opinion. Because they are breaking, news organizations need to be the first to report them, so there is fierce competition among media outlets to get the story first. As a result, in the rush to be first, some media outlets may end up reporting things that turn out to be wrong.
The first thing a reporter needs to do when covering a breaking news event is to confirm the facts with authorities. This is especially important for a story about a serious situation such as a shooting or a major storm, where eyewitness accounts aren’t always reliable. Another thing reporters need to do is never assume anything. Private citizens can make assumptions about a news event, but journalists have a larger responsibility: to report the truth.
When a breaking news event occurs, the news media usually interrupts their regular programming to report on it. On television, this is called a “cut-in” or a “Special Report.” Prior to the advent of 24-hour news networks, such interruptions were only used for extremely urgent news, like the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in 1963. Today, a national network might interrupt its regular newscast to announce an emergency, and a special graphic may appear on-screen urging viewers to stay tuned.
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