Distinguishing whether to use "breaking news" or "flash news" is quite confusing.

2. What is a Breaking News?
• “Breaking or non-routine news is
defined as hard, unplanned news that
takes the newsroom by surprise, such as
a plane crash or earthquake,” according
to NewsLab. “Breaking news cannot be
predicted.”

3. • Breaking news is also known as a special report. It is
broadcasted to report the details of a current event.
• Most Often, breaking news are follow-ups on the stories
already covered by the channel.
• Breaking news is usually presented with a reporter
who provides the detailed information. In breaking news
live reporting is also done to get the most current and
updated information.
• Breaking news increases the curiously level as they flash
small information of the event before broadcasting the
whole story. If possible, then breaking news are also
supported by footage of the actual events.
• Breaking news sometimes also switch to live telecast of
the event if it is possible.

4. Breaking News…
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2aZw3Que3wc

5. What makes an event worth
“going live” or treating in
real time? What are the
characteristics of a
breaking news story?

6. Characteristics of a
breaking news story
Some characteristics include:
• An event that is ongoing or dramatic, happening now;
• News that immediately advances an on-going story;
• The need to convey information immediately to the
public;
• The story’s signifi cance to a wide group of people;
• News of such interest that it cannot or should not hold
because of its potential consequences.

7. Writing breaking news.
• Is the news clearly stated up front?
• Is the tone correct for what is happening?
• Is it complete?
• Does the intro set up clearly what will follow on air for further
coverage? (For example, if the intro sets up a live press
conference, does it identify clearly what the audience is about
to hear, why, where, and who will be speaking.)
• Have we avoided redundancy? There is not enough time to
repeat the same information.
• Have we used the active voice?
• Have we followed the one sentence, one idea guideline?
• Is it written for the ear?
• Is the reporter correctly identified by full name?

8. vs.
BREAKING NEWS

9. • The term "News Flash" was (and still is) used in the UK
to describe an interruption to the normal broadcasting. If
a very important news story broke during a time when an
entertainment or sports programme was being broadcast
the programme was interrupted and someone said "we
interrupt this programme to bring you a news flash" - this
was followed by an announcement of what had happened.

10. • A news flash is a news item which
interrupts non-news programmes, whereas
breaking news is used to describe
something just happening in a news
programme or channel, which is probably
not insignificant but not necessarily
important enough to interrupt all other
programmes.

11. • 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 many details with it but
due to its relevancy the news is regarded as of great
importance and it is flashed.

12. References
• https://1.newslab.org/2006/08/04/when-cable-networks-
break-in-and-why/
• https://www.thenewsmanual.net/Resources/glossary.html