A news flash is a brief piece of news that interrupts radio or television programming to bring listeners the latest headlines. A newsflash can be about local, national or international events and is an excellent way to keep audiences updated on issues that impact them. It is not the place to present opinion or analysis and should simply be a means of relaying factual information.
A good newsflash starts with a compelling lead that encapsulates the main subject in a creative way. Often this will be achieved using a narrative hook that simultaneously captures readers’ interest and invokes sympathy or outrage. It should then follow the inverted pyramid style of journalism by revealing the most important facts first and then building on them. This is particularly important in the case of a breaking story, as it allows readers to stay up to date on developments as they happen.
Due to the short nature of a newsflash, it is inevitable that the anchor will have to skate over some details. This is why it is important to write a powerful lead and use the “show don’t tell” technique – for example, instead of telling readers that Johnny ran up the hill, show them him struggling to catch his breath as he pushed on. Also, if the story is to be developed at length in the midday or evening bulletin, this should be announced within the newsflash so that readers can tune in.
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