A news feature is an article about a topic of interest to your audience. It takes much longer to produce than a regular news story, so you should start with the idea of what it will be all about and then research thoroughly, using books, newspapers and the internet for background information.
The news angle, the subject matter you are going to explore, is the most important element of a good news feature. It is what will encourage listeners and readers to tune in, to stay tuned, and to remember the piece long after it has finished and talk about it to others.
You will often be able to find the news angle by listening to your interviewees and identifying what interests them about the subject of the feature. It is your job to help them express these interests in ways which will interest your audiences.
If your feature is about a person or a group of people, you should always ask them if it is OK for you to audio-record them and what their preference is. If they do not agree, or you are unable to audio record them for other reasons (for example if they are dead), you will need to think of alternatives like getting someone else to ‘voice’ their words or reading them out.
You should also check with your editor to find out if there are any additional requirements or restrictions for this type of piece. For example, you will probably need to seek permissions to visit military bases and speak to service personnel. This will take time and may add to your overall production budget.