What is it that makes a story newsworthy?
On our media training courses we tell delegates that journalists are always looking for the TRUTH.
That is an acronym we use to explain the somewhat mysterious ‘newsworthy’ term. It means reporters look for a story which is:
T – topical; of the moment, timely, new and something people are talking about
R - relevant to a specific audience
U – unusual; not what people already know or expect. Something which will surprise the audience. Is it the first? The biggest? The smallest?
T – trouble. Show how you are solving a problem. If your story is not strong enough a journalist will look for the conflict angle.
H – human interest. What is in it for people? What impact will it have on your customers?
If a story includes at least four of the five elements of TRUTH, you have the basis of something which passes the newsworthy test and so could attract media interest.
But there are also a number of perennial stories which keep appearing and can make the news feel a bit like Groundhog Day. And we are not talking about Brexit.
For example, you can be sure that as soon as the schools go back in September, there will always be coverage of some kind of furious uniform dispute.
So we thought it would be fun to put together a light-hearted list of the stories you can expect to see next year, the year after and the year after that.
January
Misery for commuters as train fare rises come into effect
Fury as supermarkets stock Easter eggs
Shoppers stunned as hot cross buns appear on shelves
Siberian snow to hit Britain
February
Storms to last until spring
Worst storm of the year on its way
Singles turn to apps to get through Valentine’s Day
March
Terrible flowers ruin Mother’s Day
St Patrick’s Day debauchery
International Men’s Day searches spike on International Women’s Day
April
Outrage as Chocolate maker removes ‘Easter’ from its eggs
Cadbury 'very proud of role in Easter' https://t.co/rUyXhULhYL
— BBC Business (@BBCBusiness) April 6, 2017
Fears raised Britain could be invaded by killer hornets
St George’s Day: Why is England’s National Day not celebrated?
May
Bank Holiday travel chaos as severe traffic and engineering work create perfect storm (also applies to Easter, August and Christmas)
June
Get ready for summer heatwave
Tropical storms are on their way
Urgent ‘tombstoning’ warning following horror accident
July
Shark spotted metres from shore by Cornwall holidaymakers
Fury as Manchester United (or any other Premier League team) unveil most expensive kit in history
House of Commons becomes ghost town as MPs set off for 10 week holiday
British beaches set for invasion of deadly jellyfish
Hosepipe ban warning as reservoirs run dry
August
Heatwave boost to the economy
Heatwave to trigger floods
Eight-year-old gets A* in physics
Exams are ‘getting easier’
Footage emerges of dancing policeman at festival / carnival
Dancing policeman gets into spirit of #NottingHillCarnival http://t.co/aIV9EtTYZM pic.twitter.com/IWwK0yLNyV
— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) September 1, 2015
Bank Holiday sizzler on its way
Surge in seagull attacks
What happens when seagulls attack? 'It's a war zone, we are even seeing people with mouth injuries' https://t.co/UpdL5Ipfkh
— The Independent (@Independent) August 10, 2017
Rain and wind cause Bank Holiday misery for millions
Christmas cards on sale already
September
Parents’ fury as new head teacher enforces uniform rules
First week September. Time for the annual barmy school uniform story....
— Jim M (@JimMBuzz) September 7, 2017
Gardeners show off giant vegetables at autumn show
Parents fined for taking kids out of school for ‘first ever’ family holiday
Britain facing worst winter / heaviest snowfall for 60 years (usually the Daily Express)
Freshers week carnage – students party hard into early hours
October
Winter chaos predicted as grit supplies run low
Outrage at inappropriate Halloween costume
Grower shows off UK’s biggest ever pumpkin
Warning about ‘death trap’ Halloween costumes
Should this be the last time the clocks go back?
Fury at Council Tax rise
November
Call for fireworks ban
Footballer / news reader / high profile person defends decision not to wear a poppy
Amazing how James McClean not wearing a poppy has been a story for the past 6 years
— Mark Taylor (@mark_t98) October 30, 2018
Anger at town’s lacklustre Christmas decorations
Black Friday madness
John Lewis Christmas advert is worst / best yet
Rail passengers face Christmas travel chaos as engineering works set to hit railways
December
Family’s disgust as expensive Winter Wonderland turns into a disgusting muddy disappointment
Misery for commuters as train fare rises announced
Christmas is ruined
Christmas Day snow is on its way
As we’ve said, this is a light-hearted list and there are other perennial stories which don’t fit into a specific month. For example, anything to do with potholes, or the latest health fad.
But it is also worth thinking about whether any of these predictable stories and angles could be brought into your media interviews and how you would deal with them. Additionally, if you know they are coming, you may be able to piggyback off them.
We’d also love to know what you think we have missed. Let us know in the comments box below.
Media First are media and communications training specialists with over 30 years of experience. We have a team of trainers, each with decades of experience working as journalists, presenters, communications coaches and media trainers.
Click here to find out more about our bespoke journalist-led media training courses. Or book a place on our next media training open course.
