Media Reference to be used when covering a story to be submitted to the media. These are events or subjects that can be used to develop stories for your chapter or region. For example you can submit a story about your chapter.

WHA T IS NEWS These are events or subjects that can be used to develop stories for your chapter or region. For example you can submit a story about your chapter  presenting an award  giving a scholarship  honoring new officers  issuing a report  announcing an appointment  forming and announcing the names of a committee attending or conducting workshops or conferences  creating special projects for the community  making an analysis or issuing statistics conducting a poll or survey adapting BIG National reports and recommendations locally

WHA T IS NEWSWORTHY? ~ Something new, that no one has ever said or heard before ~ Something timely --yesterday's news is old news ~ Something that involves a public figure, a celebrity or a well-known organization ~ Something unusual or ironic ~ Something with a human interest angle ~ Something visual (for television and photography) ~ Something that centers an event or happening ~ Something that affects a large number of people ~ Something which is a variation of a theme already receiving media attention ~ Something interesting on an otherwise slow news day Each of these elements alone may not make your story newsworthy. But if several apply, you probably have a story worth pitching to reporters.

RULES FOR WRITING NEWS RELEASES THE LEAD -As you know, the first paragraph or two of a news release (the lead) must answer the "five Ws" and an "H" -who, what, when, where, why, and how. THE BODY -A release should follow an "inverted pyramid" format, with information appearing in the order of its importance. The inverted pyramid allows an editor to easily cut the story as needed without losing the most important facts. HINTS- In writing releases: Make it no longer than two double-spaced pages. Use short sentences and paragraphs. Make certain facts are absolutely accurate. Check for proper spelling of names. A void jargons and technical terms, or explain them if they must be used. Don't use initials without indicating what they stand for in the first reference. Write factually and objectively -avoid editorializing and using adjectives.

More Hints Insert pertinent quotes from company CEO or Chair, staff or grantees. Obtain a wire service "style book" available at local bookstores for details on punctuation, capitalization, abbreviations, titles, and so forth that are acceptable to most media. PRESS RELEASES  (Guidelines for National Executive Committee and Board of Director activities for submission to the press.) Submit draft announcement, advertisement, description, proposed audience, planned outcome etc. to NCPRC as soon as available to finalize media plan. Appoint A BIG member to give written, audio/photographic coverage of event. Develop a draft press release and submit it to NCPRC for final edit and distribution 5 days prior to event. On day of event, prepare a summary press release and submit it to NCPRC for final edit and release. News Story When the event occurs it needs to be covered or reported on in order to get it in the media.

SAMPLE NEWS STORY The <1. EVENT > as held on < 2. DATE > at < 3. PLACE >. The < 4. DESCRIPTION OF AUDIENCE > < 5. EMOTIONS OR REACTIONS OF AUDIENCE > < 6. FURTHER DESCRIPTION OF ACTIONS OR PLACE >. The < 7. EVENT PARTICIPANTS > < 8. DID WHAT > < 9. HOW>. < 10. THE OUTCOME OF THE EVENT > was, and <11. FURTHER >.

EXPANSION OF SAMPLE The < 1. Blacks In Government 25th Civil Rights Banquet > was held on < 2. Wednesday, August 23, 2000 > at < 3. The Wardman Park Marriott Hotel >. The < 4. large, well-dressed attendees > < 5. were both loud and cheerful >. < 6. The crystal, plates and silver glittered in the bright lights of the banquet room>. The < 7. main speaker for the evening was Dr. Joseph Smith, Chief Cardiologist at Freedman's Hospital in Brooklyn, New York. < 8. Dr. Smith gave an exciting speech on how the heart works, how it maintains our balance of life, and how to keep our hearts and organs in good working order >. < 9. His exciting description of how the blood circulates, and his comical reference to how parts of the body react to the blood supply brought hearty laughter from the crowd.> < 10. There were several awards presented to attendees and the small vocal ensemble of the New York BIG choir area rounded out the evening's program. > < 11. And judging by the many smiles and laughter at the end of the evening, everyone had a great time >.

BIG Reporter and BIG Bulletin Use the following publication to develop an informative article about your efforts or area of responibility that can be includes in one of the:

BIG publications Publication Publication Date Deadline- NCPRC Bulletin Feb 15 Jan 15 Reporter Mar15 Feb 15 Bulletin May 15 Apr 15 Reporter July 15 Jun 15 Bulletin Oct 15 Sep 15 Reporter Nov 30 Oct 30 Bulletin Dec 30 Nov 30