Breaking news is an urgent story that needs to be reported immediately, often requiring the interruption of current programming (or, in the case of 24-hour news networks, a live interrupter on the screen). A breaking story can also be referred to as a developing story or an unfolding event.
Breaking news requires journalists to work fast and be well-prepared. This includes researching background information and facts, calling official sources, and contacting witnesses for more details. It’s important for journalists to follow the same rules of ethics as private citizens when reporting on breaking news, such as never speculating about events they don’t know firsthand. This is because, as NPR’s erroneous report about Giffords shows, it’s easy to get things wrong when you’re not there.
While breaking news can feel stressful and unpredictable, it’s important to remember that it’s just one part of the job. As a real estate professional, you’ll likely need to deliver bad news—such as when a contract falls through or inspection results come back with deal-breaking issues. It’s crucial to remain calm and communicate these challenges honestly and with confidence to avoid damaging your clients’ trust in you and the whole industry.
Before you decide to deliver bad news, it’s a good idea to plan out how you’ll do it. Think about how the person you’re communicating with will react, and be prepared to offer support if they need it. You should also take the time to process your own emotions and let them settle before you deliver the news.