The news bulletin is the defining feature of radio broadcasting. It’s an opportunity for the station to stimulate a daily conversation with its audience about the issues of the day. But this can only be done if the content is of interest to listeners and is presented well.
The way in which the bulletin is built up and structured depends to some extent on the audience; a serious national news station will probably have more political stories and deliver them in a slower, deliberate manner, whereas a youth-oriented music station may prefer a brighter tone with human interest and amusing ephemera. However, the basic principle is to offer an information mix which gives a balanced picture of current events in society.
Putting the major stories first guarantees that listeners who tune in at the start of the bulletin catch them, and it allows you to build up the tension of a dramatic story or two. It also ensures that listeners remain interested throughout the bulletin.
A good idea is to use headlines to promote the major stories – it’s often more effective than a lengthy summary and will attract the attention of the audience. Closer to the end of the bulletin, light or funny stories, which are sometimes called tail-enders, add a change of pace and can keep the attention of listeners who have already tuned out.
If possible, try to have a variety of formats for the same story, either as a straight read, a voice report or an audio clip. This will add interest and credibility to the bulletin.