Breaking news is a story that has just happened or is developing. It is typically a major event, such as a shooting, plane crash, or tornado. Because it is the most urgent kind of news, there is often fierce competition among media outlets to be first with the story. This can lead to sloppy reporting. It’s important for reporters to always verify the information they receive, particularly from eyewitness accounts and social media posts. It is also critical to never make assumptions. NPR erroneously reported that Gabby Giffords died after her shooting, for example, because it relied on unsubstantiated and panicked eyewitness accounts.
This week, we’re exploring the impact of President Trump’s hefty tariffs on Brazilian goods. We’re also hearing from NPR’s international team about the impact of a landslide in western Sudan on the lives of people living there, and examining how honking has become a way for drivers to express themselves in India’s bustling megacities.
NPR’s coverage of breaking news has evolved over the years, with many changes coming as a result of technological advances and new challenges to journalistic integrity. Until recently, it was common for news broadcasts to interrupt regular programming for breaking news events. Now, 24-hour news networks commonly use a special ticker to show breaking stories during regularly scheduled programs, eliminating the need for cut-ins. In addition, many people now get their news from social media platforms, where it is easy to share unverified information at a speed that can exceed journalistic verification standards.