Other media techniques

Introduction

Here we look at few other ways of getting your story in the media- letters to the editor, what’s on guides, and interviews.

Letters to the Editor

• Editors like controversial discussion going on in their letters column. If you feel they did you or an issue an injustice in an article, take the opportunity to write in and say so.
• Keep it calm and intelligent - let your letters page opponents descend into petty politicking (they usually do eventually!) and retain the moral high ground. You just want to seem nice and reasonable.
• Remember keep to your core message, even if they make countless stupid points you feel desperate to rectify.
• Always keep the readership of the newspaper in mind - if you are writing to a local paper then global issues must have a local link or the letter may never be published.
• Concise, amusing letters that are under 80 words long stand a very good chance of publication. One of the most frequent mistakes made is to try and cover too much ground in a short letter. It is better just to make one or two points clearly and emphatically. Editors always reserve the right to cut letters as they see fit, so better if you cut it yourself before sending.
• Look at the letters page of the publication to find out what usual style and length is. There is no single correct style for writing letters; it all depends on the newspaper, the subject and your objectives.
• Always include your name and address - some papers won´t print letters without them. You can ask for your details to be withheld if you like.

What’s On

Strathclyde Uni P&P group had their Fairtrade Fashion Show publicised in Scotland’s largest ‘What’s On’ guide and a national newspaper after sending in this photo and a press release.

Don’t forget the free ‘What’s On’ guide in many papers and on local radio for promoting your events. As a minimum you need to give them:

• Date
• Time
• Venue
• Price
• What’s happening e.g. Concert
• Something that sounds fun

Interviews

The most important thing here is to remember you’re in control. You don´t have to give this interview, they’ve asked for it because they want the news. You’re doing them a favour!

• Think through what you want to say. Find the three most important bits of information and try to have a fact or two to back them up. Don’t get adventurous or ambitious. Get these 3 points across clearly and ignore anything else. Whatever you say will most likely be cut down to a handful of seconds for a news bulletin, so there’s no point getting into long and involved sentences and arguments. Keep it short and focused, and rehearse it beforehand.
• Say your three things and go home happy. If they ask you other questions that aren’t relevant or are an attempt to divert you - say ‘I’m not here to talk about that - I’m here to tell your listeners..’ and then give them your three points again.
• Remember it’s not just what you say but how you say it. You need to sound suitably passionate, intelligent and knowledgeable. So don’t swear, don´t shout and don’t rant. Short firm sentences will get you a long way! Practice them in advance.
• If you’re worried about the interview, ask to see the questions in advance.
• In a recorded interview, you can ask to give your answer again to make it clearer.
• If you’re on the radio or TV, get someone to tape your masterpiece, then sit down and honestly appraise it . Put yourself in the shoes of Joe Public who knows nothing about the subject, and think about whether they would have understood. Don’t give yourself a hard time if it wasn’t perfect.
• Don’t give interviews to journalists who are likely to twist what you’re saying against you. You’re perfectly entitled to refuse.

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