A news flash is a brief piece of breaking news that keeps radio and television listeners updated on current events. It can be local, national or international and can include a mix of hard and soft news.
A good newsflash starts with a compelling lead that accurately and enticingly conveys the story. It also follows the inverted pyramid style of journalism (most important details first, then supporting information), and cites its sources. It should also incorporate quotes from experts or witnesses to add credibility and perspective. Finally, it should conclude with a forward-looking element that shows how the topic will affect listeners in the future.
The briefness of a newsflash forces writers to skate over some of the facts – only major stories belong in this segment – and it’s often necessary to present these facts using a straightforward approach if the topic is a hard news story, or a narrative hook if the story is about a human interest story.
A newsflash’s briefness also means it must be focused on the most recent developments in a story. That’s why it’s often best to avoid repeating the same story from the 10 o’clock newsflash in the noon or evening newscasts.