The term of the news factor was coined in America and the terms news factors and news value are therefore often used synonymously. They describe characteristics of events and topics that are selected for publication. And, depending on their quantity, intensity, and combination, make up the value of a news item. A high news rating increases the likelihood that events will be noticed and selected by journalists. In addition, news factors influence the form in which the topic is dealt with and which specific aspects are presented or particularly emphasized. Let's look a little deeper into the science and legalities behind it. 
Events do not have these criteria per se, but are ascribed to them. These criteria are considered manifest stereotypes that journalists adhere to in the routine selection process of their medium. As well as their editorial team and their subject area. The public's assumed motives to take advantage of certain offers and ignore others play a prominent role (cf. the two-component model according to Kepplinger 1998). The studies by Johan Galtung and Mari Holmboe Ruge (1965) and Winfried Schulz (1976/1990) are still fundamental to research on news factors.
The latter worked out the six dimensions of news values that are still in use today, under which he, in turn, summarizes 18 factors:
1st dimension: time. It relates to the duration of the event (short-term versus long-term events) as well as to thematization: is it a long-term or not yet established topic?
2nd dimension: proximity. It can be subdivided into spatial (geographical), political and cultural proximity. And, depending on this basis, determines the relevance, i.e. the meaning of the event and the degree of impact.
3rd dimension: status. Factors here are the regional and national centrality as well as prominence and personal influence of the people involved in the event.
4th dimension: dynamics. The degree of surprise, but also the structure of the event, can be named as decisive factors.
5th dimension: valence. The value in this dimension often corresponds to the essence of 'bad news'. It is therefore based on factors such as conflict, crime, damage, and failure; In contrast, success and progress are also part of it.
6th dimension: identification. The factors personalization and ethnocentrism can be just as relevant for journalistic reporting. Depending on the topic, of course. The latter focuses on the values and characteristics of one's own nation and their global significance. Although the term was introduced into science over 100 years ago.
In the past few decades, many researchers have tried to put together the factors for the operationalization of the catalog in empirical studies. On the one hand, for example under the time, factual and social dimensions, and on the other hand to further differentiate them.
Long-term studies in particular show that the selection of news in the editorial offices is subject to historical and contemporary changes. All studies do not question the news factor concept as a whole. But they show that certain criteria enjoy more or less priority. Including harm/benefit, aggression, proximity, and status of the event nation was confirmed.
The main criticism of the studies is that they cannot explain whether and why an event is reported, but how. The content analysis counts how many lines a message is long and where it is placed. The challenge remains to establish the connection between the news factors and recipients. And the news factors as characteristics of reported events, as they are ascertained in content analyzes.