Working with the Media

Working with the media is an important component of any advocacy strategy. It can increase public awareness and can also catch the attention of elected officials. You may find yourself engaging with the media through writing press releases and letters to the editor, or by offering information to a journalist. The media may also contact you for an interview. It’s important to know how to approach the media and how to get your voice heard through newspapers, television, and the radio.

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Approaching the media

• You should approach newspapers first because TV and radio journalists often get their stories from the newspaper.  They are also able to go more in-depth on a topic.
• Mondays and Fridays are generally slow news days, so approaching a newspaper on Sunday or Thursday is best.
• When you see an article or story that you like, or if you see a negative or incorrect story, write a letter to the editor.
• The best way to approach a journalist is to write a to-the-point email and follow up with a phone call.  Show the reporter that you are not trying to sell them on your view, but trying to help them do their job by providing useful information and an interesting story.
• Send press releases following meetings with MPs (make sure that you let the MP know that the meeting is “on the record”), after newsworthy events relating to your issue, and before events that you or your group plan.
• For a more in-depth campaign, you may want to send an entire press kit, which includes a press release, your one-page brief, a factsheet, and a biography of the organization or spokesperson.

Contacted for an interview?

• Write down the name of the publication and the name of the journalist.  Ask her questions about the focus of the story, who else will be interviewed, etc.
• If you need time to prepare, ask her to call back later.
• Be prepared with statistics and anecdotes.
• Keep in mind the key messages of your campaign so that you do not get off track.  Keep control of the interview by returning to them often.
• If you do not know the answer to a question, say so and offer to get back to the journalist promptly.

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