A news bulletin is one of the most important parts of a radio station’s day. Listeners expect a balance of stories – some heavy and some light, some about major events and others about people. They also expect that the stories will be presented at the right pace – fast at times to grab their attention and slow at others so they can absorb the information.
You must make sure that your lead story is a good one, because it will set the tone for the rest of the bulletin. It should be dramatic and have a strong impact, but it is important to consider your audience too. For example, if you know that your listeners are interested in politics, don’t start with a dull story about party arguments.
The lead should be followed by a mix of stories – some serious and some light – to ensure that your listeners maintain their interest throughout the bulletin. You might also want to include some briefs – short stories which provide relief from longer stories and add variety to the pace of the bulletin. Alternatively, you might want to end your bulletin with a funny or light story, which will be a fitting conclusion to the programme. These are often called tail-enders and they can help to make the programme memorable.
Finally, you should always check that your bulletin is complete before going to air. If you are the newsreader, this is easy as you can time each item by looking at it and estimating how long it will take you to read. With practice, you should be able to do this quickly and accurately, without having to look at your watch every time.