A news flash is a piece of breaking news that interrupts radio or TV programming and updates listeners on current events. It can be local, national or international in scope and is a great way to keep your audience updated on issues that affect them directly. Unlike a bulletin, a news flash doesn’t present opinion or analysis; instead, it should convey facts in a compelling manner.
To write a good news flash, start with an attention-grabbing headline that accurately and enticingly reflects what the article is about. Then create a compelling lead that fleshes out the headline and cites your sources. Next, include a nut graph that adds context and ties the facts introduced in your lead into a bigger picture to show why this subject matters. Finally, conclude with a forward-looking element that shows how this issue will continue to impact people’s lives.
Because a news flash is so short, it’s important to skate over details and only focus on major stories. This is why it’s vital to follow the inverted pyramid style when drafting a news flash: convey the most important information at the top of the article, then add more detail below. Ideally, you should also incorporate quotes from experts or witnesses to add credibility and perspective to your newsflash.
A good news flash should capture readers’ interest and hold their attention, a task that can be challenging in today’s fast-paced media environment. Fortunately, there are some techniques that can help you write effective news stories faster and more accurately than ever before.
