QUARTER 3: MODULE 1

Lesson 12 – Writing Breaking News and Flash Reports

Breaking news interchangeably termed late-

breaking news and also known as a special report
or special coverage, or news flash is a current
issue that broadcasters feel warrants the
interruption of scheduled programming or current
news to report its details. Its use is also assigned
to the most significant story of the moment or a
story that is being covered live. It could be a story
that is simply of wide interest to viewers and has
little impact otherwise. Many times, breaking
news is used after the news organization has
already reported on the story. When a story has
not been reported on previously, the graphic and
phrase "Just In" are sometimes used instead.

BREAKING NEWS refers to an important current event that due to its importance interrupts the
current program and the details of the event are reported.
To increase channel viewer-ship, every broadcaster wants to be the first to show any important
current event. News channels especially focus on delivering the latest information as soon as
possible.  Reporting of any major current event has become very competitive and due to this
breaking news and flash news have gained lots of popularity.
To understand flash news let’s consider an example of a natural disaster that had taken place
suddenly. The channels may not have the full details of the event but they want to provide
information about the occurrence of this disaster to their viewers. They simply flash news stating
that such an event has taken place. It is brief and sudden news. It may also contain alerts for the
viewers.
BREAKING NEWS is also known as a special report. It is broadcasted to report the details of a
current event. Most Often, breaking news is a follow-up on the stories already covered by the
channel.  Any major advancement in the already reported story leads to breaking news. In that
case, the already gained information and presently gained information are presented. Breaking
news is usually presented with a reporter who provides detailed information. In breaking news
live reporting is also done to get the most current and updated information. Breaking news
increases curiously as they flash small information about the event before broadcasting the whole
story. If possible, then breaking news is also supported by footage of the actual events. Breaking
news sometimes also switches to a live telecast of the event if it is possible.

Radio
On radio, the process of a breaking news story is somewhat the same, though some different
considerations are made for the medium. For instance, a breaking news theme is required by
default to have an urgent tenor and be used only for truly breaking news or bulletins. This is
obvious on the local all-news radio stations owned by Audacy ( formerly owned by CBS Radio),
which very rarely use a breaking news theme for all but the most urgent and dire of breaking
news, and is purposefully structured to give a sense of attention for the listener, almost sounding
like an alarm. For local events, continuous coverage may be imposed, or else the station may
wait until they have a reporter at the scene and will promise more details of the event as they
become available.
National news that is broadcast over a radio network requires constant monitoring by station
employees to allow the network coverage to air, although many stations will take the 'urgent'
signal sent by the network (often sent within the digital stream of the network and inaudible to
the listener, like rating identifications) and break into programming immediately. In the United
Kingdom, Independent Radio News provides special alarm systems specifically to notify its
affiliates of deaths in the British royal family, mandating their participation in heavily-
coordinated mourning protocols that are practiced by the government and broadcasters.
 
FLASH NEWS is a small snippet of an important current event that interrupts the current
program.
FLASH NEWS is sudden therefore they are
shorter whereas for presenting breaking news
it is beneficial to gain details as much as
possible. Breaking news is designed for
creating immense interest for the viewers so
that the viewers do not switch to other
channels. On the other hand, flash news is
smaller and more sudden. The information has
not had many details with it but due to its
relevance the news is regarded as of great
importance and it is flashed. After collecting
relevant details, flashed news is a potential candidate for breaking news. Covering breaking
stories is also regarded as a big task therefore the channel ensures that most of the audience can
watch their report. To do that, they often repeat telecast their breaking news. Information
changes in flash news take place more rapidly than in breaking news.