What characterizes a "hard news" story?

• A. A story focused on entertainment
• B. A report that covers timely and important topics
• C. A piece that expresses personal opinions
• D. A narrative without factual accuracy

Answer: (B)

A "hard news" story is characterized by its focus on timely and important topics that are significant to the public. These stories often report on events such as politics, economics, crime, or disasters, and they are marked by the urgency and relevance of the information they convey. The primary goal of hard news journalism is to inform the audience about what is happening in the world in a straightforward, factual manner, emphasizing clarity and accuracy.

In contrast, choices that suggest entertainment or personal opinions do not align with the core purpose of hard news, which is strictly to report facts on issues of public interest. Additionally, any narrative that lacks factual accuracy does not qualify as hard news because factual integrity is essential in this category of journalism. Thus, the defining characteristic of hard news is its commitment to reporting critical, timely information in a way that is objective and essential for the audience to understand current events.