A news bulletin is the opportunity for a radio journalist to deliver a mix of information that nourishes and prepares the audience for the day. It is important to consider the audience (local, regional or national) as they will have different needs and interests. Politics is an area of interest for some audiences but it is not for everyone and a bulletin should reflect the daily lives of the regular listeners.
A key to a good bulletin is the lead-first structure: the most important fact should be presented in the first sentence, ensuring the listener is aware of the main point and why it is relevant. It is also useful to include a short sound bite from a person involved in the story. This can be a voice report or a stand-alone audio clip. It adds a sense of realism and makes the bulletin more engaging for the listener.
The structure of a news bulletin can vary according to the radio station’s policy set and the type of listener it targets. For example, a local news bulletin for a community station might focus on health, education, housing and jobs. In contrast, a regional or national news bulletin would concentrate on the main political issues affecting the country.
Writing a news bulletin requires discipline: clarity, brevity and vivid language. The key is to write a story as though you are telling it to a friend and remember that your audience may be listening to several bulletins during the day, so they need to be able to retain the information.