Sensationalism vs. Newsworthy

Have you ever started reading a story and couldn’t stop? Sometimes it’s the drama that pulls you in, and other times the information feels important. Sensational stories grab your attention with shocking details and strong emotions, but they often don’t have much meaning. In contrast, newsworthy stories keep you interested by giving useful information and facts that help you understand important issues. Whether it’s through sensationalism or newsworthy journalism, the way a story is told can either make you feel emotional or give you real knowledge, and it’s important to recognize the difference.

For example, the COVID-19 pandemic showed a clear difference between newsworthy and sensational stories. A newsworthy article might have a headline like “Guidance for surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 variants: Interim guidance, 9 August 2021.” This type of article gives facts about new health measures, explains why they are important, and includes expert opinions to help people stay safe. It doesn’t try to scare the reader, but instead gives clear, balanced information that helps people understand the situation.

On the other hand, a sensational article about the same topic might have a headline like “COVID rising again in NY as new variants spread. How bad will it get?” This kind of story usually exaggerates the risks and focuses on fear instead of giving helpful information. While it might be true in some ways, the goal is to create panic, not to educate or inform the reader.

These two types of articles show the important difference between stories that try to inform and those that try to shock. Both can get your attention, but only one will help you understand what’s happening.

In the end, how a story is written changes how we understand it. Sensational stories are exciting at first, but they don’t leave you with much. Newsworthy stories might not be as flashy, but they give you what you need to understand the world better. So, next time you read a big, dramatic headline, ask yourself: is this here to help me, or just to make me worried? If we choose the right sources, we can stay informed and make better decisions.

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