Breaking news is a news story that happens in the moment and requires immediate reporting. It typically involves unexpected events, like a fire or disaster. Often, it’s hard for people to wrap their head around the situation, so it can be easy to get facts wrong. In a rush to be first, even respected news outlets sometimes report things that turn out to be incorrect. To maintain accuracy, reporters should confirm facts, avoid assumptions, and never speculate.
The goal of breaking bad news is to convey the information as quickly and as honestly as possible. Unfortunately, this can be difficult to do when the bad news is unpleasant or difficult for the recipient to hear. For example, if you work for an employer that is downsizing, you might find yourself using language such as “organizational realignment” or “minor setback” instead of “mass layoffs,” which obscures the fact and can make it harder to decipher.
The best messengers understand that the key to delivering bad news in a compassionate and effective way is empathy. They consider the recipient’s circumstances and history, their stake in the conversation, their strengths and vulnerabilities, and their personal psychology. They also do their research, so they can determine what to say to the person and how to say it. They then work toward the bigger objective of creating meaning in the interaction. By doing so, they can shift the dynamic from one of mutual conflict to a partnership.