The Journalist-Friendly Press Release

Effective press releases need to be:

• Newsworthy. ‘Welcoming’ an initiative is unlikely to inspire. Comments need to push forward a debate, or at least a story, or journalists will see little point using them.
• Speedy. Journalists work fast. Most press releases are now faxed or emailed to newsdesks.
• Short. Brief information and quotes and no more than one side of A4 to fax/email.
• Quotable. Include at least one attributed quote if possible. This makes journalists’ and news editors’ jobs easier. Please gain necessary permissions from employers before speaking in any professional capacity (see Talking to the Media, AFT briefing sheet No 1).
• Helpful. Include contact telephone numbers of people willing to be interviewed in greater depth about the topic, and/or email addresses for further information.
• End well. Effective press releases often end with a ‘notes to editors’ panel (see, as an example, the panel at the end of this page). This is a useful way of supplying necessary background information in a form that does not slow down the pace or impact of the release itself.

AFT’s media and communications officer, Jan Parker (email janparker@aft.org.uk; tel: 07931 726247) is very happy to help AFT members write and distribute press releases announcing their research, project launches or other events. Please remember, only selected AFT executive officers are permitted to speak on behalf of the organisation.

Note to editors

* AFT is the Association for Family Therapy and Systemic Practice in the UK.

* Its members work in many areas of health, social work and the voluntary sector, helping people find their way through problems and providing families with therapeutic support.

* Further details can be found at www.aft.org.uk.

* For more information or to arrange interviews, contact the Association for Family Therapy media liaison office via email janparker@aft.org.uk or tel: 07931 726247.

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