Breaking News vs. Feature News 

The story idea you’re developing for print or television will probably be either a breaking news story or a feature story. It’s important to know the difference, because as you pitch your idea, you’ll find that reporters requirements (their deadlines and the quantity and quality of information they use) differ between the two.

Breaking News 

A breaking news story is about the here and now (dog bites man). If your organization plans to organize a press conference to release the results of its latest survey, for example, the results or conclusions of that survey will be considered a breaking news story. 

Feature Story 

A feature, though harder to define, is frequently a longer piece—often with human interest elements—about a growing trend, a person doing something unique and interesting, or simply a topic that makes readers or viewers, no matter their interests, sit up and take notice. 

 

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