Title: Chapter 34. Media Advocacy | Section 3. Creating News Stories the Media Wants | Main Section | Community Tool Box
Headings: Section 3. Creating News Stories the Media Wants
Section 3. Creating News Stories the Media Wants
What is a news story?
What are the benefits of using TV, newspaper, and radio stories?
Providing newsworthy stories
How do I present my story idea?
Choosing good media opportunities
What is a news story?
What are the benefits of using television, newspaper, and radio stories to spread your message?
Providing "newsworthy" stories
Choosing good media opportunities
Some guidelines for contacting the media
Do not call a reporter to pitch a story idea unless you are ready to provide everything she needs to write the story
Target reporters who will be interested in your news
Recognize that you will be interrupting someone who is busy working
Become a “go to” organization for the media
Continue to work to maintain your relationships and credibility with the media, and continue to pitch stories to them
Online Resources
Print Resources

Content: For example, how can alcohol manufacturers support a "Don't drink and drive" campaign, yet refuse to change their advertisements that encourage people to drink alcoholic beverages? A local interest: Why is this story important or meaningful to local residents? An example would be a story on drug dealing that goes on in a housing project but remains poorly investigated by police. A milestone: Is this story an important historical event? Perhaps you can provide a story on a city's first collaboration between the university, community, and local residents. A local milestone could be specific to an organization. A high school equivalency graduation, the completion of a job training course, the successful finish of an initiative, the awarding of a major grant or contract – any of these could be the occasion of a news story of local interest. A human interest story: