Preparing News Releases

Category: Community Health Improvement

There are 7 modules in this course:

  1. Inside the Newsroom
  2. Matters of Style
  3. Properties of a News Release
  4. Organizing Information
  5. Elements of a News Release
  6. Now What?
  7. Other Skills 

Following these, a Posttest must be completed.

Intended Audience

PIOs/PAOs who need to improve their skills in communicating with the public during an emergency

Learning Objectives:

After completing this course the learner will be able to:

  • Discuss the importance of deadlines in different types of news releases.
  • Describe who’s who in the newsroom.
  • Discuss newsworthy elements of the story by using clear and simple language and consistency in the style and usage.
  • List the eight properties of a news release.
  • Summarize and organize information in a manner that creates clear and accurate understanding.
  • Describe the use of the 5 W’s and the inverted pyramid style in newswriting.
  • Write the lead, body and headline for a news release.
  • Explain the importance of quotations in a news release and use them in an appropriate manner.
  • Explain the review process for a news release.
  • Explain the dissemination process for a news release.
  • Discuss the preparation for follow-up questions from the media.
  • Monitor and analyze news reports, utilizing Rapid Response when appropriate.
  • Develop talking points using the “message triangle.”
  • Describe the criteria used to select broadcast media stories.
  • Describe four essential qualities contained in effective broadcast news stories.
  • Write effective public service announcements.
  • Describe the difference between a news release and a news advisory; write an effective news advisory.
  • Distinguish between a news release, a news conference, and a news briefing.
  • Prepare for and conduct a news conference or briefing.

Pre-requisites/Learning Level

No Pre-requisites

Competencies addressed:

  • Core Competencies for Public Health Professionals identified:
    • Domain 3: Communication Skills
      • 3A5. Conveys data and information to professionals and the public using a variety of approaches (e.g., reports, presentations, email, letters)
    • Domain 5: Community Dimensions of Practice Skills
      • 5A9. Informs the public about policies, programs, and resources that improve health in a community

CEUs Offered

none

Cost

Free

Modality/format

Online Self-Pace

Length

1 hour

Presenter(s) and/or Content Experts

Technical requirements:

  • Adobe Acrobat Reader 
  • Flash Player 
  • Speakers

Registration requirements

Register a free account

Creation and/or update

December 4, 2012

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