A news feature tells more than the latest event; it often focuses on a unique angle or deeper insight. Usually it involves emotional and subjective elements and is more immersive than informative news. The tone of the story can be uplifting, entertaining or saddening. It can be personal and even experimental.
A good news feature must capture the attention of the audience and inspire them to remember it. It must make them want to talk about it and discuss it with their friends. It must also pique their interest enough to tune in again to listen to the full version and perhaps share it via social media.
The Topic is the overall subject matter of the news feature. It is the point of departure, the idea that a journalist is going to use as an entry way into the subject matter. It may have many news angles – statistics of cases or deaths, opinions from the medical community, government announcements, advice from experts etc. A topic may even have multiple ‘angles’ at once – for example the story of one passenger who survived a plane crash and the fact that it was a miracle escape.
The Treatment is a document that will help guide the production of the news feature, in terms of what to research and who to interview. It is very similar to a script for a movie and should be written as early as possible so that when the final news feature is produced it is as polished and compelling as possible. The Treatment may change as the research and the talent are gathered, but it should always be a guide.