What is the difference between hard news and soft news?

In journalism, hard news refers to serious news topics that are important and significant to the public. Hard news stories typically cover topics such as politics, government, crime, business, and science. These news stories are fact-based, objective, and focus on informing the public about the events of the day. They are often reported in a straightforward, unbiased manner and typically do not contain any opinions or commentary from the journalist.

On the other hand, soft news stories, also known as feature stories, are more lighthearted and entertaining. Soft news topics may include lifestyle, entertainment, sports, and human interest stories. Unlike hard news stories, soft news stories are often more subjective and may contain the journalist's opinions or commentary. They may also be more visually appealing, including photos or videos, and may contain more creative writing.

While hard news stories are typically covered by all news outlets, soft news stories may only be covered by certain media outlets, such as lifestyle or entertainment magazines. Understanding the difference between hard news and soft news is important for both journalists and news consumers to ensure they are informed about the events of the day and able to distinguish between objective reporting and subjective opinions.