A news flash is a short piece of breaking news that keeps the audience updated about topics that affect them. It can be local, national or international and may involve a mix of hard and soft news.
A well-written newsflash is a compelling and interesting way to deliver important information to the listener. The start of a newsflash is particularly crucial as it is your chance to grab the listener’s attention and entice them to keep listening. A great way to accomplish this is by using a narrative hook or anecdote that is both creative and engaging. You can also cite your sources to add credibility and authority.
The newsflash’s briefness forces you to skate over some of the details – only major stories belong here – so it’s important that your facts are clear and concise. Similarly, you need to present the news in a straightforward manner if the subject matter is serious, or more of a storytelling approach if it’s a human interest story.
Finally, a newsflash is not the place to bring opinion; it’s purely about conveying factual information. A good newsflash will announce a story that will be developed at length in the midday or evening bulletins (promoting the newsroom’s work). It can also be a good idea to end with a light-hearted story, a joke or a soundbite. This will ensure that the listener leaves with a smile.
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