Media Handbook for National Human Rights Institutions Television Information needs for news bulletins: Strong photographs or video footage; concise news “grab” delivered on camera from the NHRI spokesperson (a “grab” is a recorded statement that sets out the problem, solution or position in one or two short sentences) Information needs for current affairs or talk shows: Strong photographs or video footage; experts and others who can talk confidently, persuasively or personally on the issue Radio Information needs for news bulletins: Concise news grab from the NHRI spokesperson (may be recorded in person or by phone); audio recorded at an event, such as a protest or rally (known as “actuality”) Information needs for current affairs or talk shows: Experts and individuals who can talk confidently, persuasively or personally on the issue Newspapers Information needs for news stories: Strong photographs; quotes from the NHRI spokesperson (these could be taken from the NHRI media release or, preferably, from an “one-on-one” interview with the journalist); additional background information or statistics Information needs for feature stories/columnists: Substantial background information, either written or from an interview; contact details for other individuals or organizations to interview News agencies Information needs for news stories: Quotes from the NHRI spokesperson; additional background information or statistics Bloggers Information needs for news stories: Background information, either written or from an interview; photographs or video footage; other multimedia content Magazines Information needs for feature articles: Tailored background information; quotes from the spokesperson (often involving a lengthy interview); strong photographs; contact details for other individuals or organizations to interview 1.4. PREPARING AND MAINTAINING A MEDIA CONTACT LIST To engage effectively with the media, NHRI Members and staff should be enthusiastic media consumers. It is important to read different newspapers and magazines, listen to a range of radio programmes, watch various television news bulletins, review online news sources and Twitter feeds and subscribe to the newsletters and social media channels of partner organizations and key government and civil society agencies. Understanding how different media outlets report and present different stories helps you identify which media outlets and which reporters are most likely to cover human rights-related stories and how they might approach these stories. Most media outlets – television, newspapers and news agencies, in particular – assign a reporter to cover stories related to a specific subject area. This is known as the reporter’s “round”. NHRIs need to know which journalists cover those rounds that are most relevant to their work. They should take steps to get to know these journalists and build good working relationships with them. Chapter 1: Working effectively with the media | 7