Breaking news is any news that happens in real time and requires immediate coverage. It can cover events such as natural disasters, major accidents, political crises and significant social issues. It differs from regular news reporting in that it often carries an urgency that necessitates rapid updates and may require a breaking story ticker to run during normal programming (though many television and radio stations now use specialized “special report” crawls, which can replace traditional news anchors when needed).
When reporting breaking news, journalists must balance the need to provide timely information with the ethical obligation to ensure accuracy. This can be especially difficult when relying on eyewitness accounts, as they are not always accurate and can lead to misinformation or sensationalism. Journalists must also consider how their reporting will impact communities affected by the event, and whether the information they are presenting is appropriate for viewers and readers.
As a rule, never make assumptions when covering breaking news. It is Murphy’s law that the one time you assume something, it will turn out to be wrong. This is particularly true of eyewitness accounts, which are often dramatic and can lead to speculation. For example, when Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords was shot in 2022, NPR based its initial reports on an eyewitness account that described her as slumped over with a bloody nose and gunshot wound to the head — which turned out to be untrue. Never use a sourced photo unless it has been vetted and confirmed by authorities.