A Matter of Opinion: Hard News Vs. Soft News

For this assignment, I was asked to accumulate 5 news articles form various websites and state whether or not they were better suited as soft news or hard news.  If you are not sure what the the difference is between the two, you should have a good indication of what kinds of stories fit into each category by the time you are done reading each post.

Can an online posting cost you your job?

This story definitely fits into the category of hard news.  The article discuses a topic that isn't very typical of soft news: job loss and Canadian laws.  Besides the subject matter, the piece is presented in a way that is not meant to entertain but to inform.  It is mainly focused on bringing all the facts to the table, displaying quotes from various people who are educated on the subject, and in doing so, revealing their opinions.  The genre of the story falls under business, where the article is found on the CBC website. 

Strange Lights over Fort Saskatchewan
In my opinion, this is a soft news story.  It is meant to draw in readers through the wonder that the picture creates in the minds of people who glance at it on the webpage.  The article is very plain and is only a couple of sentences in length.  It is written in first person by the person who saw the lights, so their is really only one opinion presented in this piece.  It is entertaining, and leaves you wondering what natural (or supernatural) phenomenon causes this. 

Brazil-owned firm takes control of XL Foods plant
The Globe and Mail's article on the latest updates of the events surrounding the XL Foods plant is very fast-paced, presenting a large amount of information in a short amount of time.  It is a hard news article, and one that is worthy of being on the front page of a news paper.  It also has a genre that is typical of hard news: business.

Getting passive-aggressive with WiFi names
I consider this news article to be a form of soft news.  The content is designed to amuse the viewer and to create an emotional response.  Its appeal is very broad and most people who read it will enjoy listening to what it has to say.  It is entertaining and is found on the Globe and Mail's website within the category of "lifestyle."

Uma Thurman, American actress and model

Really, Uma? Thurman gives daughter epic seven-part name
Whether or not this article fits into soft news or hard news is something that is debatable.  For those of us who follow celebrity news, this article is sure to fit into the category of hard news.  It is an announcement that has been three months in the making, and deserves a space somewhere on the front page.  Then again, for those of us who are less interested in the lives of celebrities (such as myself), this article is more than likely soft news to us.  It is interesting, yes, but it is more gossip than hard facts and lacks the importance equivalent to something like the closer of a local school.  If I had to choose, I would lump it together with the story on "the world's longest cat, Stewie."  It is soft news.