Hard news story example

Here's an example of a hard news story:

HEADLINE: "New Study Reveals Alarming Rise in Opioid Overdoses in Local Community"

LEDE: "A new report from the local health department has found that opioid overdoses have increased by 50% in the past year, with a significant spike in emergency room visits and hospitalizations. The study, which analyzed data from 2019 to 2020, also found that the majority of overdose victims were between the ages of 25 and 44, and that the majority were male."

BODY:

• The study, which was released yesterday, analyzed data from the local health department's emergency medical services (EMS) database and found that there were 1,234 reported opioid overdoses in the past year, up from 823 in the previous year.
• The report also found that the majority of overdose victims were treated at local hospitals, with 75% of patients requiring admission to the intensive care unit (ICU).
• The study's authors attributed the increase in overdoses to a combination of factors, including the rise of fentanyl-laced heroin and the increasing availability of prescription opioids.
• Local health officials are urging residents to seek help if they or someone they know is struggling with addiction, and are highlighting the availability of treatment options and resources in the community.

ATTRIBUTION:

• The study was conducted by the local health department's epidemiology team, led by Dr. Jane Smith, a public health expert with over 10 years of experience.
• The data was analyzed using a combination of statistical software and manual review of EMS records.

OBJECTIVITY:

• The story presents the facts of the study in a neutral and objective manner, without expressing a personal opinion or bias.
• The story quotes a local health official, Dr. Smith, who provides context and explanation for the findings, but does not include any quotes from individuals who may be affected by the issue.

STRUCTURE:

• The story follows a traditional news structure, with a clear and concise headline, a brief lede that summarizes the main point, and a detailed body that provides more information and context.
• The story includes specific data and statistics to support the findings, and quotes from a credible source to provide additional context and explanation.

TONE:

• The tone of the story is serious and informative, reflecting the gravity of the issue being reported.
• The story is written in a clear and concise manner, making it easy for readers to understand the main points and take away key information.