A news bulletin is the radio and television equivalent of a page in a newspaper, but it has the added advantage of being linear. This means that it is a good idea to examine the content of your bulletin regularly, re-ordering stories to fit the available time and making sure that there is a balance of information.
You must take your audience into account and tailor your news to their interests. This may mean a mix of stories from different sources, or a certain amount of drama or light-heartedness. You must choose your lead story carefully, as it is the first thing that listeners will judge the whole bulletin by. It is also a good idea to have one or two dramatic stories in your bulletin, as these will keep the attention of listeners who might otherwise be falling asleep. Similarly, light or funny stories are a welcome relief in heavy bulletins.
A good lead story will grab the listener’s interest from the outset, and it is important to use a range of voices and quotes. It should also be written in a style which is suited to the type of audience you are aiming for; for example, serious national broadcasters will often have more serious stories in their bulletins whereas youth-oriented music stations will have lighter news items.
As you assemble your bulletin, glance at the studio clock and note how long each story is. This will help you to judge how long you have left for the rest of the bulletin.
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