What, exactly, is breaking news? If you ask Dictionary.com, it defines breaking news as :
Main Entry: breaking news
Part of Speech: n
Definition: news that is happening and being reported or revealed at this moment
However, if you judge this phrase by local news standards, it almost seems as if breaking news is anything that has happened in the last two hours that we can slap a mini open on in order to grab the attention of our viewers. Working in a control room, I have found that the news department seems to classify a LOT of things as breaking news, whether we actually have new details to bring to the viewers or not. I can't see how this would draw in viewers as time and time again we rehash the same few details we have, and keep saying we'll bring the viewers new details as we get them. Shouldn't an update to breaking news actually include the update? Or are viewers truly satisfied with a second :30 look at a car crash, or fire, or crime scene with no new details?
Breaking news is 9/11...Breaking news is a car crash or crime scene that is unfolding before our very eyes. Once that event is put to "tape" and re-aired as there are no new things to show the viewer, that event should be classified as just plain old news, and the scare tactics should take a breather. At least, that's my opinion.
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