A news feature is a longer piece of radio or television news that is usually more in-depth and descriptive than a normal news story. Generally speaking, the main objective of a news feature is to give the audience a better understanding of some aspect of the subject that is being discussed.
The topic for a news feature may be taken from current events or it can be timeless, evergreen topics that can still be of interest to the audience. In either case, the subject matter for a news feature should be based on good research.
During an event such as the coronavirus pandemic, there were many different news angles that could be covered. These included statistics of cases and deaths, announcements by governments, advice from experts, opinions by political leaders and the human interest stories of sufferers and their families.
While arranging interviews for a news feature, make sure that the interviewee is happy to be audio recorded, as this will add a lot to the overall quality of the piece. Also remember to always confirm details – especially those of names. If you are using sound effects from a library, make sure that they match the subject of the feature.
Pictures and illustrations are always a bonus for any news feature. Radio and TV shows often rely on their own photographers or rely on local amateurs to provide them with photos.