A news alert is an immediate notification sent out by news organizations to inform the public about developing stories and events as they unfold. They are typically disseminated through multiple platforms including TV, radio and websites to ensure a broad reach and can be particularly effective during critical situations. Breaking news alerts generally include essential information including the “who, what, where, when and why” of a situation to help audiences grasp the context quickly and accurately. They also raise important ethical considerations in terms of sensationalism and responsibility to provide accurate information while taking into account the sensitivity of tragic incidents.
Getting your client mentioned in the media is a top priority for most PR people, and a strong headline can go a long way to grabbing a reporter’s attention. But crafting compelling news advisories and releases is not an easy task, and it takes a lot of time to write an eye-catching headline that will stand out among thousands of other media alerts.
The key is to find a local angle that will appeal to reporters and to focus on what’s most interesting and relevant to your community. Also, make sure to give reporters the contact information of someone from your chapter who they can interview or who can answer any questions. And lastly, keep your alerts and releases short and to the point — reporters will most likely cut off any paragraphs that are too long or repetitive.