A news bulletin is a short broadcast of current events. It usually includes the bare facts of stories, while more depth is added in a full news programme. News bulletins are broadcast on radio and television. In television news, they are presented by a presenter (or anchor) who reads the headlines and short pieces of news. They are often followed by a reporter talking directly to the camera and then by a live two-way interview with someone involved in the story. A news bulletin can be edited in a newsroom and then transmitted to the television studios, or it may be filmed on location, with the reporters in mobile editing vans. The resulting footage is then transmitted to the studios via fixed cable links, microwave radio or satellite trucks.
It is important to consider the audience when putting together a news bulletin. Different audiences, such as local, regional or national, have a range of interests and the bulletin should be a balanced mix of hard and soft news. It is also important to be aware of the impact of political stories. The news should be able to tell how the politics is going to affect people’s lives and it is essential that the news is accurate and objective.
A good news bulletin starts with a strong lead and uses the inverted pyramid style of writing (most important information first, then additional details). The lead is followed by a “nut graph” that explains why the story matters and provides editorial perspective. The news bulletin should include sound clips from witnesses or experts. The sound clips need to be clear and concise, without obscuring the key facts, and should be carefully selected.
