A news feature takes a subject which could be reported on as a news story and explores it more fully, adding analysis or commentary. It often focuses on one angle of the topic and can include a more human element such as the personal impact of the event on those involved.
As with news stories, the audience should be at the heart of your planning and writing. Think about what they would want to hear or see and how they would be affected by it. Your aim is to give your listeners or viewers a reason to stay with the story and, hopefully, be enthralled by it.
The main difference between a news story and a feature is the focus. A news story is generally about a current issue or event which is of immediate interest to your listeners or viewers. Unless you are reporting breaking news, a news feature is unlikely to be front page news – at least not for very long.
Often, a news feature will require special access and permissions. For example, you might need to gain permission to visit military bases or locations where recording is not allowed. You may also need to gain access to studios or editing suites if you are recording the sound for your feature. This can take time and should be factored into the planning process, particularly if it is for a radio or TV piece. Likewise, you might be unable to get certain audio for your news feature due to a lack of available recordings or because the person who said the words is unavailable. In this case, you will need to consider getting someone else to ‘voice’ their words or read them yourself.