A news flash is a piece of breaking news that keeps the audience updated on current events. It can be local, national or international and can include a mix of hard or soft news.
A good news flash starts with an attention-grabbing headline that accurately and enticingly conveys what the article is about. The lead should also cite the sources so that readers can trust the information they are getting. Then, the story should follow the inverted pyramid style and introduce the most important details first, adding supporting information as you go along. It is also a good idea to use quotes from experts or witnesses that add credibility and perspective to the story.
Newsflashes are usually limited to six to 10 news items and they must be delivered in a short time frame. Due to the length, they necessarily skate over some details and only major stories belong in this type of report. The newsflash is not the place to present opinion or analysis. The anchor must communicate facts about the situation using a straightforward approach if the news is hard or a narrative one if the topic is human interest.
Sometimes, a newsflash can be so important that it will interrupt regular programming on television or the radio. For example, if a tornado is headed for your city a newsflash will stop the soap opera or the football game so that the viewers can receive the necessary information in time.
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