A news flash is a short piece of breaking news that keeps listeners informed on current events. It can be local, national or international and can include a mix of hard and soft news. Unlike a full news bulletin, a news flash does not bring opinion or analysis. Instead, it aims to deliver facts about an issue as quickly and efficiently as possible.
A good newsflash starts with a compelling headline that accurately and enticingly conveys what the story is about. It then follows the inverted pyramid style of journalism – most important details first, supporting information next – and ends with a nut graph that ties all the main points together so the reader understands their significance and direction.
The newsflash’s briefness forces writers to skate over some of the details – only major stories belong in this type of article – so it is crucial that the first sentence gets straight to the point and delivers the most important information. If necessary, it is also useful to use a descriptive anecdote or scene-setter as the lead in order to capture readers’ attention and entice them to read on.
The final paragraph of a newsflash should contain practical details such as traffic conditions, weather updates or the summary of a decree (to give the audience something to chew on). It is also possible for a newsflash to announce that a certain story will be developed at greater length during the midday or evening bulletin – a newsflash that ends with a humorous story or soundbite is often referred to as a “kicker.”
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