News bulletins are a chance for your audience to hear something about their own country and town and about current affairs. They expect a mix of stories, some heavy and some light, some about major developments and others about ordinary people. They also expect a range of different formats for each story; for example, a direct read and a voice report can both be used to present the same information. Adding grabs of actuality (short segments of recorded sound such as an interview or speech) can make a bulletin much more attractive, and they are often a chance for your audience to hear their own voices on the radio.
In addition, many listeners are interested in opinions and debate on the issues they are hearing about. A regular column by an opinion writer can add to the credibility of your bulletin.
Generally, it is best to have an opening theme which announces the bulletin and ties together the various sections. You will also need to have short recorded music inserts, sometimes referred to as stabs, which break up long sections of reading. These may be a special theme for the bulletin or part of the opening theme and are usually played in the background to add interest and excitement to the bulletin. Some stations have a special selection of instrumental or electronic themes which they use regularly as stabs.