In journalism, what is a soundbite?

A soundbite is a concise and memorable phrase that encapsulates the main point or sentiment expressed by a speaker. In journalism, soundbites play a critical role as they are often used in news reports and broadcasts to convey the key messages of interviews or speeches. They are designed to be catchy and impactful, allowing the essence of a speaker's position to resonate with the audience quickly and effectively. The brevity of a soundbite makes it suitable for media formats that require quick consumption of information, such as television news or social media.

In contrast, the other choices do not accurately reflect what a soundbite is. A detailed article summarizing a topic encompasses much more information and usually requires comprehensive explanation, differing from the succinct nature of a soundbite. An analysis of media trends involves a broader exploration of patterns and changes in media, which is not the focus of a soundbite. Similarly, a summary of public opinion generally reflects aggregated views from a group of people, lacking the personal and impactful nature of an individual speaker's soundbite. Therefore, the option highlighting the short phrase that captures the essence of a speaker's position is the most accurate definition of a soundbite in journalism.