Media Handbook for National Human Rights Institutions MEDIA RELEASE For immediate release: [date] (If you want the media to use the story as soon as they receive it) or Embargoed for: [time/date] (This is a good way of giving journalists time to prepare and to ensure they don’t use it until a specified time) NHRI logo Headline (Start with a snappy headline, but not too clever) Paragraph 1 Summarize the story – who, what, where, when and why. All key information needs to be in this paragraph. Paragraph 2 Put in more details to flesh out the story you have outlined in the first paragraph. Paragraph 3 “Include quotes from you or someone relevant to the story.” Don’t try to cram too many points into one quote; each quote should make one point. Paragraph 4 Provide additional, relevant information. Ends Notes for the Editor • Outline what you have to offer: pictures, video, interviewees • Provide background information in case they run a longer story Contact Make sure you supply numbers where you can be reached at all times. Name: Name: Person one Person two Mobile: Mobile: Office: Office: Remember to use: •• Facts or statistics, to support your main point. •• Short sentences and paragraphs, and aim to keep the media release to one page. •• Plain language, to communicate the issue in a way people can easily understand. MAKE IT STAND OUT Think of ways to help your media release stand out from the others. Provide journalists with other elements that can help them prepare a strong story, such as links to high-resolution photographs, relevant video or multimedia resources or research reports on the NHRI’s website or social media channels. Chapter 2: Engaging with the media: Tools and strategies | 21