A news bulletin is a brief summary of current events for radio and television. The main role is to present the bare facts of news stories in an efficient and concise format – not unlike the short summary used at the end of films called “newsreels”.
Using journalistic writing skills, the editor sources, selects, checks and writes the bulletin and also ranks the stories according to importance. This is done following the inverted pyramid model, with key facts being presented first and supporting information next. This format is ideal for breaking news, when the audience wants to be told what’s happening immediately, rather than a deeper story which will be more relevant in the long run.
The bulletin may be accompanied by pictures (photographs or video) or with short sound bites from people involved in the stories, known as “sounds” or “clips”. Including a variety of different ways to present the information can add interest for the audience and also helps to break up the length of a longer bulletin.
A good newsreader will read clearly, avoiding fast or difficult-to-pronounce names and marking pauses in the script to maintain a regular pace. They will avoid sensationalising events or statements as this will damage their credibility and integrity. They will also rewrite their scripts regularly so that they are accurate and easy to understand.
The choice of news stories is very important as it needs to be pertinent to the regular audience’s lifestyle and interests. For example, political stories need to demonstrate the impact on the audience’s daily lives. The voice of the newsreader is also important as it creates emotions and can attract or repel listeners.