The press media – newspapers, TV, radio, magazines, newsletters and websites – can be a great help in promoting your project.

Coverage can alert influential people, including local councillors, and the wider public to the existence of your project and generate support. It can encourage people to be involved or attend other events and activities. It can also help with fundraising by keeping your project in the public eye and demonstrating support from within the community. Seeing or hearing their work reflected in the media in a positive way makes people feel the project is recognised and raises morale.

The commonest form of media to benefit small local groups is often your local newspaper. Get in touch with your local newspaper to find out the best person to contact and when would be a good time to talk to them. It is important to remember the media has its own agenda. Finding out what works for them gives you a better chance of getting your story published. Give them information whenever they can use it.

Press or news releases are the usual way to inform the media about your project or campaign. They should be used if you are planning a special event or if there is a new development on your project. But if you send too many press releases the media may start to ignore them.

Children and young people may want to get involved in promoting the play project they use or in campaigning for more and better play spaces in their area. Children will often come up with creative ideas and new ways of presenting information. They also have the advantage of personal experience and most local media is interested in ‘human interest’ stories. You will need to be aware of safeguarding and child protection issues if children and young people are actively involved in working with the media. You have the responsibility to make sure journalists are aware of the ethical boundaries of working with children. 

Back to top

Tools and information