A news flash is a quick piece of breaking news that updates listeners about current events. It can be local, national or international and is a great way to keep listeners informed. Unlike a bulletin, a news flash doesn’t present fully developed stories and shouldn’t include opinion or analysis. It is also a good place to give the audience a summary of larger events that will be covered in more detail later in the day, such as a presidential press conference.

A good news flash begins with a strong lead that accurately and enticingly reflects the topic and sets the scene for the article. Ideally, this is done using a narrative hook or anecdote that captures the reader’s attention. It should also cite the source and include any additional details that need conveying. The lead is also the perfect opportunity to use a nut graph to add context and explain why this particular story is important to the audience.

A news flash is usually one or two paragraphs long and should always be written in the third person. Avoid jarring readers by switching between first and second person as this can confuse them and make it harder to follow the article. It is also important to include the full name or initials of anyone mentioned in the piece. This helps readers distinguish people from each other and is a standard practice in journalism. When writing a news flash, it is also best to avoid using nicknames or abbreviations.