A news flash is a piece of breaking news that interrupts radio or TV programming to update listeners on current events. It is different from a bulletin, which features developed stories that go more in-depth on the subject matter. A newsflash can be local, national or international in scope and is a great way to keep your audience informed about the issues that affect them directly.
A well-written newsflash starts with a headline that accurately and enticingly reflects what the story is about. The lead fleshes out the headline, describing the event and citing its sources. Next, a nut graph ties the facts introduced in the lead to a bigger picture and shows why they matter to your audience. Finally, if there is additional information to convey, use a soundbite or voicer from an expert witness.
In a newsflash, you have between one and three minutes to share the headlines. This means you need to skate over some details and focus on major stories. It is also important to be clear about the facts you are reporting and avoid partisanship.
The final paragraph is a good place to zoom out and look toward the future. It is especially effective if you can tie back into the original introductory story. For example, if your headline is about a new ethics complaint against the Interior Department secretary, you might conclude with something like “Monday’s complaint is another in a long list of ethical issues Zinke has faced.” This provides a strong sense of closure and shows that your article will be relevant in the future.