Breaking news is the term used for events that have just occurred and need to be reported immediately. These events can be anything from a natural disaster to a crime to an accident. Because of the urgency, these stories often disrupt regular news programming and are updated as information becomes available. The emergence of digital platforms has changed the way breaking news is disseminated to an audience, requiring journalists to balance speed and accuracy.
When a story is breaking, there are often many different media outlets trying to report it first, which can create confusion for viewers. In a race to be first, journalists may also misreport or publish incorrect information, which can have serious consequences for public perception and trust in journalism. For example, NPR’s erroneous report about Gabrielle Giffords was based on information from sources who did not know what was happening at the time.
The ability to break bad news is a key communication skill for nurse practitioners (NPs). Whether the bad news is that treatment is not working and there are few options left for patient control or death is imminent, the NP’s success in achieving the bigger objective of the conversation will depend on how the message is delivered.
The best messengers take the time to empathize with their recipient and do their homework. They consider the individual’s circumstances, history and stake in the situation as well as their personality and values. They then use this information to craft a message that will best achieve the desired outcome of the conversation.