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● Introduction & Index ● What is PR ● Job Expectations ● Types of Media ● Building Relationships ● Media, Hams & FCC Rules ● The Basic News Release ● Interviews and Live ● Making your own show ● Easy P.R. ● Public Service Events ● Piggy-back to Events ● Pictures NOW! ● P.R. Research Aids ● Making Friends ● ARES® PIO ● Final Exam Information Next Page

In the broadcast industry or in the newspaper business, time and space is at a premium. The reporter is on a deadline all the time. The news desk is dictating as to what kind of story they are looking for. Many times the reporter is going to try his or her best to fill the demands of their news desk. So regardless of the story you have, it may be skewed to fit the picture. You must be on the ball to make sure that your message gets across and still meets the criteria that the reporter is attempting to maintain. You will have to accept the fact that the story will seldom turn out as you picture it should. So be happy even if your story gets rearranged and edited. So many time folks are shocked at a news story they have done or given to a reporter, only to see something on the air that is much different than they imagined. So just keep in mind that the reporter is trying to earn a living and he is bound sometimes by contract, to turn in and produce only certain kinds of stories that meet specific criteria. Do not however allow the interview host to put words in your mouth or exaggerate a story beyond the truth, as you may get into a liability problem. If a problem should arise, remember, the reporter is going to quote you as their source. If he or she has exaggerated beyond the truth and gets called on it, they will cite you as the source and they will have amnesia. What if you run into a focused interview host that seems to be on a mission to get a certain type of story? There are several ways you can take advantage of this situation. Pre-Interview questions First when you schedule your interview with the reporter/interview host, ask the following questions? Mr. /Miss ____________ can you please tell me what it is you are looking for in this interview? Can you give me an idea of some points you would like to cover and what points I could cover that would make your story more appealing to the audience? This gives you the reporter’s priority and what exactly he or she is looking for. Then you need cover those bases for sure to gain his or her confidence with discretion in mind. Mr. /Miss ___________can you give me an idea as to how long this interview will be and how much of it will be used for broadcast?