A news flash is a piece of breaking news that keeps listeners updated on events occurring in their own backyard or even around the world. It can be a mix of hard and soft news. It usually lasts no more than three minutes and may be broadcast at the top of the hour, midday or evening.
A good newsflash starts with a compelling headline that accurately and enticingly conveys what the story is all about. It then cites the relevant sources at the end to add credibility and legitimacy. It should also follow the inverted pyramid style of journalism – most important details first, and then supporting information – and include a nut graph that ties the main points together into a bigger picture showing their significance and direction.
Because a newsflash is usually limited to 6 to 10 news items, it’s imperative that the anchor deliver these stories in a clear, concise and compelling way. This may involve using a scene-setter lede such as a descriptive anecdote that simultaneously captures the audience’s attention and entices them to delve deeper into the article. Alternatively, the anchor might employ a more narrative approach to a human interest piece, such as a description of how eight California high school students who share the same name pull off a witty stunt.
It’s also important to remember that a newsflash is not the place for bringing opinions, but rather facts about an event. Its shortness also forces writers to skate over some of the details – only major stories belong here – so they must be delivered with a straightforward approach if the subject matter is hard or a more narrative one if it’s about a human interest story.
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