In this article, you will learn how to reach the news media with your actions. We will discuss how to organise actions that news media will want to pick up. And we will talk about how to write a good press release.

Write a press release #

The news media is always looking for a good story, and if you are planning an activist action, you can make sure they find out about it by writing a press release.

A press release is a short, news-style article that tells the media what you are doing and why it is important. Here are some tips for writing a press release that will get the media's attention:

1. Make it newsworthy: Write about something that is timely and relevant, and that will interest the media and their audiences.

2. Keep it short and to the point: A press release should be no more than one page, and it should get straight to the point.

3. Include quotes: Quotes from people involved in the action, or from experts on the issue, can make your press release more newsworthy and persuasive.

4. Include a photo: A photo can make your press release more visually appealing and help it stand out from the crowd.

5. 5Send it to the right people: Make sure you send your press release to the right media outlets, and to the specific reporters who cover the issue you are concerned with.

Improve this page #

You can make this guide better:

• There are Creative Commons resources that we can integrate with this article. Use the Creative Commons resources in the External resources section below to improve this page.

• Organise this guide into sub-articles: develop a media plan, writing a press release, press conference, interviews, unwelcome media attention

External resources #

Creative Commons resources #

• Preparing Press Releases by Community Tool Box

• Arranging News and Feature Stories by Community Tool Box

• Preparing Guest Columns and Editorials by Community Tool Box

• Arranging a Press Conference by Community Tool Box

• Preparing Public Service Announcements by Community Tool Box

• Activist and Protest Media by Action Skills

• The NEON Guide to Progressive Media Work by Matthew Edwards and Polly Edwards

• Dealing with the Mainstream Media by Seeds for Change