WIKIPEDIA defines news as information about current events, and Merriam Webster defines it as a report of recent events or previously unknown information.
The common denominator between these two definitions is that news is information, except for the fact that it is new information.
As it is generally practiced, the definition of “newness” would vary from one news organization to another, but it could safely be said that after a few days or weeks, the news is usually recycled as “features”.
In a matter of speaking, it could be said that features are really “old news”, but would really sound like an oxymoron. The older old news becomes, it already becomes “history”.
As it is defined, we could generally agree that any new information could be considered as news, regardless of who publishes it. In the old days, it was generally understood that only a news organization or mass media company could publish news, but that has already changed now, because the social media now allows anyone to publish news in their own websites or blogs.
Of late, the term “fake news” has emerged, and there is now a lot of discussions as to what it is and what it is not.
As I see it however, the real issue is not whether it is “faked” or not. The real issue is whether it is truthful or not. After asking whether the report is new or not, we should then ask whether it is truthful or not.
In the old days, news was printed in the front pages, while opinion was printed in the inside pages. It was in those old days when news and information was never mixed, in much the same way that water and oil could never mix.
Also in those old days, the news programs in radio stations and television channels were separate from commentary programs, the latter clearly containing opinions, and not news. That is the reason why the media outlets would always issue disclaimers that the opinions expressed by the commentators are entirely their own, and do not express the views of the stations and channels.
Sad to say, it is very common practice to mix news and opinions in broadcast now, and some stations and channels do not even bother to issue disclaimers.
Also in the old days, advertisements that are presented in the appearance of news would always contain disclaimers that these are “paid advertising”. It seems that does not happen anymore, because the so called “advertorials” are now presented as if these are news, without any disclaimers whatsoever. (To be continued)/PN
