A news flash is a short piece of breaking news that interrupts radio or TV broadcasts and keeps audiences updated on current events. It can be local, national or international and may include a mix of hard and soft news. Newsflashes are not the place to bring opinion or give in-depth reports; they simply relay facts about a specific topic that is important for listeners at that moment.
A good newsflash starts with a strong headline that accurately and enticingly conveys what the story is about. Then, it should feature a compelling lead as an introductory scene-setter. The lead should use a narrative hook or anecdote that simultaneously captures readers’ attention and entices them to delve deeper into the article – for example, “Eight California high school students who share the same name pull off a witty stunt.” The lead should also provide any additional details needed and cite its sources. Finally, the newsflash should contain a nut graph that ties the main points you introduced in your lead into a bigger picture to show their significance and direction.
Because of its briefness, a newsflash often skates over some of the details; only major stories belong in this type of article. However, that doesn’t mean that it should lack in substance. A well-written newsflash should start with a compelling headline, follow the inverted pyramid style of reporting by putting the most crucial information first and then adding more details later, and include a nut graph to add context and explain why the subject matter matters.