In the rapidly changing media industry of today, the function of breaking news headlines has changed significantly. No longer stuck on the front pages of newspapers or anchors’ evening newscasts, headlines are being made on social media platforms, news apps and mobile alerts every second. This "live feed" directly contributes to the shaping of public opinion and to the ways in which the events are being perceived, locally as well as globally.

The immediacy associated with breaking news alerts can pressure newsrooms to publish stories at a rapid clip, sometimes at the cost of context or depth. While it is certainly important to report with speed stories of major events in the world, such as political insurrections, natural disasters and significant verdicts in important legal cases, it is also vitally important that we strive to be right, as well as fast. Misleading headlines can cause undue panic or contribute to the spread of false information, especially when a story is shared widely before being adequately vetted.

A more recent and subtle change in the media landscape is the way in which breaking news headlines are curated, using data analytics and reader behaviour tracking. Algorithms now play a big role in deciding which stories make the top of their readers’ feeds, shaping a supposedly bespoke experience for news consumers. This may create a higher level of engagement, but it’s also a cause for concern in terms of echo chambers and whether the audience is getting a balanced view of current affairs.

In addition, the need to gain attention in a crowded media market has resulted in hyperbolic language being used in breaking news headlines. The idea is to get clicks and shares — a strategy that runs the risk of further degrading journalistic integrity. Audiences are becoming more discerning, and often, for nimbleness, they call for depth and reliability in reporting.

A few digital-only news organizations are already changing tactics, blending breaking updates with more considered analysis and with context. This multilayered approach already delivers immediate news in the form of breaking news headlines, but follow-up stories drive clarity and context. Projects to promote news literacy are being publicized as a way to aid readers in distinguishing between true reports and clickbait.

What this means, then, is that the delivery and consumption of breaking news headlines continues to be classified as fluid. Even as they continue to be an effective means of disseminating critical information, this coverage must pivot now to the other side of the seesaw, toward balance — between always-on speed and slow and steady accuracy, between engagement and ethics. As technology becomes more part of the news process, the challenge for media properties remains earning trust while getting ahead of the news curve.

Matthew James is the author of this article. For more details about Road closures in Windsor, please visit our website: windsornewstoday.ca.