The podcast discusses the 'inverted pyramid' structure of news stories, starting with the latest development and providing context later. It explores the case of Tony Danker and the power of headlines. The process of investigating and gathering evidence for news stories is highlighted. The inverted pyramid style of news writing is explored, emphasizing the need for more context. The potential of personalized news and innovative storytelling in the digital age is discussed.
Journalists often write stories in an inverted pyramid structure, starting with the latest development and providing context towards the end.
The inverted pyramid structure may overlook important contextual information and hinder comprehensive understanding, calling for innovative storytelling techniques to address this limitation.
Deep dives
Decoding the News: An Overview
This podcast episode explores the process of decoding the news and understanding how it is assembled. It introduces the concept of the inverted pyramid structure in news stories, where the most important information is presented first. The episode highlights the importance of reading beyond the headlines and skimming the surface of stories to gain a deeper understanding. Using the example of a scandal at a prominent business lobby group, the episode delves into the investigative process and the importance of corroborating sources. It also discusses the role of seeking responses from relevant parties and the impact it can have on further developing a story. The episode raises questions about how news stories can be better structured and personalized to meet individual preferences for context and updates.
The Inverted Pyramid Structure in News Stories
The episode deconstructs the inverted pyramid structure used in news stories, where the most recent and important information is presented first, followed by additional details and context. It explains that this structure originated during the time of telegraph communication, where the brevity of messages required placing crucial information at the beginning to ensure its transmission. However, the episode questions whether this structure still effectively serves its purpose in today's digital age. Criticisms raised include the potential overlooking of important contextual information that may be lower down the article, leading to a lack of comprehensive understanding for readers who may skim or stop reading before reaching the end. The episode suggests incorporating alternative storytelling techniques and innovation in digital journalism to address these limitations.
Personalizing News for Individual Preferences
The episode explores the idea of personalized news services that cater to individual preferences. It highlights the importance of tailoring news stories based on readers' preferences for background context or updates on familiar topics. The episode suggests that modern technology allows for more flexibility in storytelling and presentation, offering readers the ability to choose the level of detail they want. Examples are given, such as Sky News allowing readers to see the oldest updates first and The Guardian pinning posts in live blogs for easy access to significant moments. The episode emphasizes that the industry can further innovate to provide personalized news experiences that accommodate reader preferences and provide both context and updates based on individual needs.
When journalists tell stories, they rarely start at the beginning but instead with the latest development. Context comes towards the end. It’s called the ‘inverted pyramid’.
When scandal at the Confederation of British Industry hit the newspapers and boss Tony Danker was dismissed, he complained that articles didn’t state right at the start that he was not accused of the worst misconduct. If you didn’t make it much past the headlines, you might not realise that.
We discover why journalists write stories ‘the wrong way up’, how that affects how we understand them, and how that might change with new technology.
‘How to Read the News’ - this series is all about giving you the tools to decode the news.
Presenter: Jo Fidgen
Producer: Charlotte McDonald
Researchers: Beth Ashmead Latham, Kirsteen Knight
Editors: China Collins, Emma Rippon
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