I feel better prepared now. You answered all my questions. I feel better equipped now. Thank you for all the information you gave me. – Family member
The most accessible source of media coverage tends to be newspapers, especially local papers. There is a chance that your local press may have covered the death, the circumstances of the death and may even carry information regarding the inquest.
If you want to keep the paper informed of any family campaigns, initiatives or publicity for meetings or events, you need to consider a few useful ideas:
- in the case of inquests, investigations and other legal matters there are distinct rules about what you can and cannot say publicly – it is vital that you check with your lawyer or caseworker before speaking to the press
- find out the names of key journalists in your area. Find out what areas they cover
- decide if you are willing for them to have your contact details and if so request they do not pass them on to anyone else
- consider providing a photograph of your relative to personalise the story
- make sure that you can always be contacted for fact checking or to offer a short comment by providing a home or mobile number
- it is a good idea to write something down so you are not misquoted
- prepare for any interviews or news stories beforehand. Get to grips with facts either relating to the case or to the event or publicity you are planning
- writing letters to the newspapers letters page or editor is a way of drawing attention to the issue
a full contact guide to all local newspapers is available at News Media Association which contains information and contact details for local press throughout the UK.
Some of what newspapers print can be provided in the form of a press release. A press release is a way of communicating your message/issue to journalists through a newsworthy story and, in effect, writes their story for them. You could write a press release on anything from an introduction to your campaign to a public meeting you are holding. Any group hoping to get stories printed needs to know how to write a press release.
Outlined below are some basic rules for writing an effective press release:
- Be concise, interesting, quotable and factually correct
- Set out your story clearly and grab attention in as few words as possible, and without jargon.
- Be as well timed as possible, especially if you are launching an event or initiative.
