A news flash is a brief article that interrupts radio or television broadcasting to share the latest headlines. It is different from a bulletin in that it does not present developed stories and is typically less than three minutes long. It can be about local, national or international issues and is a great way to keep your audience updated on topics that directly affect them.
A good news flash starts with a compelling headline that accurately and enticingly reflects the story. It should then begin with a lead that fleshes out the headline by providing context and cites its source. Finally, it should include a nut graph that ties the facts introduced in the lead to a bigger picture and explains why they matter to your audience.
Due to the short nature of a newsflash, it is necessary to skate over some details. However, this is an opportunity to announce that the topic will be covered at length in your midday or evening bulletin so that listeners can tune in to learn more. It is also a good idea to incorporate some “forward-looking” sentences that zoom out from the specifics of your story to show why it will continue to be relevant in the future.
This will help readers understand why your article is important and why they should continue to watch, read or listen to this subject. Newsflashes can be about anything, from a major political scandal to the latest sports victory, but they should always reflect current events and keep your readers informed.