What is the primary focus of "hard news" as opposed to "soft news"?

• A. Entertainment value
• B. Timeliness and significance
• C. Opinion-based reporting
• D. Length and complexity

Answer: (B)

The primary focus of "hard news" is on timeliness and significance. Hard news typically covers important events of the day that have a direct impact on the public, such as political developments, natural disasters, or significant societal issues. These stories prioritize factual reporting and often require immediate attention due to their relevance and urgency.

In contrast, soft news tends to deal with more human-interest stories, trends, or entertainment, which may not have the same immediate impact or urgency. Soft news can be described as focusing more on storytelling and emotional engagement rather than straightforward information about current events. Therefore, timeliness and significance are distinguishing characteristics that make hard news essential for informing audiences about crucial issues and events as they unfold.