Breaking news is the term used to describe current events that are developing quickly, or that were unexpected. Breaking news stories are typically the most important stories for media outlets to cover, but can also be the hardest and most dangerous. They can be anything from a terrorist attack or natural disaster, to a political scandal or congressional shooting. During breaking news, a reporter must not only be the first to report the story, but also must accurately convey the importance and urgency of it.
The lead is the most important part of any breaking news story. It should be short and concise, providing a quick overview of the news event. It should answer the five Ws (who, what, when, where and why) and one H (how). A good breaking news lead should be able to stand on its own, without needing to be expanded upon later in the article.
The most important thing to remember when writing a breaking news story is not to make assumptions. It is always best to get information directly from sources, but if that is not possible, then be sure to check those sources for accuracy. In the rush to be the first to report something, it is easy for reporters to jump to conclusions, and they can often be wrong. In the case of the Gabrielle Giffords shooting, NPR based its initial report on eyewitness accounts that turned out to be false.