The text for this section has been drawn from UNDP Blue Book and Ban the Land Mines Campaign.

What is a good story?

We often get upset that stories which we think are good ones, do not get into the news. For journalists "good" stories are stories that are interesting, newsworthy or unusual. Newspapers will not cover every story but, if there are serious or controversial issues involved, or if it is an unusual event, you will get publicity more easily. If you have a good relationship with journalists you have a much better chance of persuading them that your story is important.

The media are also interested in stories that have a human interest element. Try to organise interviews and visits for reporters with people who are affected by the issue or cause you are taking up. Find ways of telling the big story through the eyes or experience of someone who is directly involved. Stories are more interesting when there are photographs and words from human beings rather than just press statements from organisations.

The media will also cover events attended by high profile people like ministers and premiers, celebrities and popular personalities, so it may be useful to invite someone like that. Unfortunately the media may leave as soon as this person has spoken and often only the high profile people will be quoted in stories.

How to get a story into the media

There are many different ways of getting your message across and getting information to journalists. These include press statements, press conferences and interviews. Study them, and then decide which is the best way for each event. Decide what you want to say, choose the most effective method and then get the information out. Do not overdo it by using all the methods at the same time.

back	next