A news bulletin (also called a newscast) is a short broadcast which updates listeners on world events. It can be presented by a single presenter or by a team of presenters. A news bulletin can last from seconds to hours and can focus on a range of topics, from world events to local affairs.
Preparing a good news bulletin is not difficult, but it requires a certain amount of skill. To do well, you should try to keep in mind the basic rules for what makes a story newsworthy: it must be new, unusual, interesting and significant. The bulletin’s lead story is particularly important, because it sets the tone for the rest of the bulletin. It should be a dramatic piece which grabs the attention of listeners and keeps them listening to the rest of the bulletin.
A grab of actuality, or a live report from the field, should always be introduced, using a voice which sounds natural and clear. Generally, it is best to use a reporter from the area which is being reported or an expert in the field. If a grab is in a language other than your own, it should be overdubbed with a translation.
You should not use music as background to a news bulletin, because it is distracting and can jar the listener. However, some radio stations have a special theme which they use to announce the bulletin, and occasionally for links between stories within the bulletin. These are known as stings.