Breaking news is an event that occurs suddenly and demands immediate attention, such as a plane crash or a fire. It’s the kind of story that a media outlet is desperate to get on the air first, and there can be fierce competition to do so. But breaking news isn’t just about getting the story first; it’s also about getting it right. Unfortunately, reporters in their rush to be first often end up reporting things that turn out to be wrong.
Typically, when a breaking story happens, the local or national news program will interrupt current non-news programming and begin a countdown sequence, telling viewers to stand by. Then, the newscast will begin with an opening graphic and distinctive music cue. Then, the anchor will welcome the viewer to the program and introduce the breaking news. If the story is particularly urgent, a ticker will also appear at the bottom of the screen, providing constant updates as they happen.
Breaking news can also refer to severe weather events, such as tornado warnings or landfalling hurricanes. Until the advent of 24-hour news networks, most television and radio stations would interrupt their regular programs with a “special report” or a weather cut-in during these kinds of emergencies. Nowadays, this is rarely the case, since weather events usually have a lot of information already available from radar and satellite data. Some channels have even begun to employ a special newsflash or “Special Report” ticker during their regularly scheduled shows, which reduces the need for frequent interruptions.