Breaking news is information about events that occur or develop quickly and are considered important enough to inform the public immediately. This type of news prioritizes immediacy over details and requires frequent updates as more information becomes available.
Often, breaking news involves emergency situations such as natural disasters, accidents, or political developments that are unfolding and require immediate attention. However, it can also be an unexpected development of significance, such as a celebrity death or the release of a controversial report. In any event, it is important that journalists are able to distinguish between fact and speculation when reporting on breaking news.
To ensure the audience has the most up-to-date information, television and radio stations typically interrupt regular programming for breaking stories. This is known as a “news flash” or a “special report.” It was rare for news stations to interrupt programming before 24-hour cable and satellite channels came on the scene, but such interruptions are now commonplace for major events.
In addition, the ability of digital platforms to enable instantaneous sharing of information has changed how breaking news is disseminated compared to traditional media outlets. This has impacted the way audiences consume breaking news by creating a sense of urgency and expectations for real-time updates, influencing how journalists approach these stories.