A news alert is a notification sent to individuals and organizations when new content matches a specified search term. It is often used to monitor the mentions of brands, products, or competitors and can be delivered via email, RSS feed, or social media. Typical searches include keywords and phrases related to specific events, locations, or topics of interest.
Breaking news alerts are immediately disseminated by news organizations to capture audiences during significant and urgent events. They typically provide essential details such as the who, what, where, and when to enable audiences to grasp the situation quickly and accurately. They can also include timelines and updates. These notifications are often augmented with visual elements to enhance the reader experience and increase audience engagement.
Journalists have protocols in place to send out breaking news alerts, including fact-checking processes to ensure accuracy. In the digital age, audience expectations for real-time information are higher than ever, requiring journalists to balance speed with accuracy to maintain their credibility.
Unlike traditional news stories, which are written in narrative form, media/news alerts (also known as press releases) can be written in either bullet or list format and answer the five W’s: Who, What, When, Where, and Why. They are also an effective way to announce upcoming events and media availability.
To create effective media/news alerts, start by creating an eye-catching headline that catches the attention of reporters. Then, be sure to clearly communicate the newsworthy angle of the event and who reporters can contact for more information (e.g., a local mayor or state or federal legislator). Keep length to one page, and use plain formatting to avoid overwhelming the reporter.