NCJ Number
204907
Date Published
March 1999
Length
24 pages
Annotation
This document discusses ways to work with the media to educate the public about domestic violence.
Abstract
Seventy-five percent of Americans receive most of their news from television, and 64.2 percent of adults read a newspaper in an average week. There are many ways to use the media to disseminate messages about domestic violence to the public. They include television and radio news programs, talk shows, newspaper articles, feature stories, columns, editorials, letters to the editor and guest editorials, and community and specialty ethnic newspaper. It is important to have a list of area media to distribute press materials such as news releases, media advisories, or press statements. The media list should include broadcast (TV, cable TV, and radio), and print (newspapers, magazines, and wire services). Media lists should be updated at least twice a year. Before talking to a reporter, two or three talking points should be written to convey the message. The primary responsibility is for the interviewee, not the reporter so each question should be looked at as an opportunity to deliver the message. Answers should be prepared for two kinds of questions before the interview is done. These are questions most likely to be asked and those that one fears will be asked. In preparing a domestic violence survivor for a media interview, information must be gathered before doing the interview, and questions should be reviewed with the survivor. There are several ways to respond to media stories that are breaking or have already been in the news. These include statements or brief prepared remarks; or letters to the editor. Other ways of generating coverage are proclamations, op-eds, editorial memoranda, calendar announcements, radio and cable access stations, and community bulletin boards. The process of submitting a Public Service Announcement is described. Appendices