A news flash is a quick piece of breaking news that updates listeners on current events. It can be local, national or international and is a great way to keep listeners informed about important issues that affect them directly. Unlike a bulletin, a news flash is not the place to present opinion or analysis; it should only convey facts about an issue in a compelling manner. Due to its short length, a newsflash necessarily skates over details; only major stories belong in this segment. It is also limited to 6 to 10 news items so it’s vital to make the most of them. This can be done by using a straightforward approach if the topic is hard or by following a narrative strategy if it is about human interest.
The first paragraph of a newsflash is called the lead and it’s your chance to grab listeners’ attention and entice them to hear more about your story. It is also your opportunity to cite your sources. A good newsflash should follow the inverted pyramid style, conveying the most important facts at the top of the article and revealing more information as you go along. It is also a good idea to incorporate quotes from experts or witnesses.
A good newsflash should also mention any story that will be developed at greater length during the midday or evening bulletin (a kind of promo for your station’s work). Finally, it is recommended to give out practical info – traffic, weather, a summary of a decree etc.
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