The idea behind a news feature is that it can take a topic or event and look at it from different angles. For example, a plane crash may have the obvious news angle of how many people died but it could also be the story of the passengers or how they were saved. This kind of feature gives the audience something they can relate to and puts a human face on a tragic or confusing subject.
When planning a news feature, think about the length it will be and whether it will fit into the format of a program. If you don’t regularly work with the program which will host your feature, listen to it to get a feel for its style and pace.
Another consideration is how much studio or editing suite time you might need. This is especially important if you are working freelance or on commission. It is a good idea to draw up a budget for your production and include time in studios and editing suits. Make sure you include a contingency percentage for any unexpected expenses.
A common complaint about the media is that they only tell bad news. It is easy to see why – most things which happen suddenly, and are therefore news, are unwelcome. The job of a good newspaper is to balance this by telling the good news as well.
One of the best ways of doing this is to produce a story about an ordinary person who achieves extraordinary things. This can bring a sense of perspective to the audience and give them hope.