A news flash is a piece of breaking news that interrupts radio or TV broadcasts and updates listeners on current events. It can be local, national or international in scope and is a great way to keep listeners up to date on issues that directly affect them. Unlike a bulletin, a news flash doesn’t present opinion or analysis but simply conveys facts in a compelling manner.
A good news flash should last no more than three minutes, so it needs to be brief and concise. This means it should skate over the details and only cover major stories. It should also follow the inverted pyramid style of reporting, conveying the most important information first and then fleshing out the story with more details as needed. A news flash should also cite its sources and finish with a forward-looking element to show how this issue will continue to impact listeners’ lives.
Like an op-ed or essay, a well written news flash should have a compelling opening known as the lede. This is the anchor’s opportunity to grab audiences and draw them into the article by introducing a narrative anecdote that encapsulates the subject matter in a creative and interesting manner. A news flash should also incorporate quotes from experts and witnesses to add credibility and perspective.
A good newsflash should be limited to between 6 and 10 news items. Due to its short length, a newsflash must also be very focused and only include the most relevant facts.