A news bulletin, or newsflash as it is sometimes called, is a short piece of radio or television news presented in the middle of another programme when something important has happened. It is usually read out in a straightforward, simple style. A good news bulletin must be brief, clear and compelling. It must be based on the news of the day, not yesterday’s or last week’s, since your audience is interested only in things happening today.
Generally speaking, the news bulletin is designed to provide a balanced mix of stories, some serious and some light. This balance is also achieved by the way in which you rank and arrange your stories in order of importance. The actual order of your stories will depend to a certain extent on your station format; serious national broadcasters tend to have more serious news delivered in a more deliberate style whereas youth-oriented music stations may have a lighter, brighter approach with more stories about popular culture.
It is worth remembering that the headlines are a key part of your bulletin; they should be used to promote each story in the best possible way, and they are often the reason for listeners tuning in. It is a good idea to headline dramatic stories, as this will ensure that the listener stays tuned until they hear the full story. The same applies to foreign names; they should be pronounced slowly and clearly, with a pause at the end of the name, and it is advisable to use a pronunciation guide when reading them.