Unless you have spoken to individuals involved in the story yourself, you must attribute your rewritten story to its newspaper source. Usually these press releases are of minor news value. In smaller communities, however, listeners expect to be informed of such events, and program directors may well inform the newsroom that a story must be aired. Generally, though, if a news or program director believes a press release is worth a story, a reporter will make a phone call or visit an event, with the result that the reporting is original rather than a rewrite. These press releases are the first, and sometimes the only official contact the business or organization will make with the media.
Press releases are an essential aspect of business reporting.
We are looking forward to serving the Middleville community. The closing of the acquisition transaction is subject to the completion by Heron Bank of its due diligence investigation of Middleville Savings Bank, as well as regulatory approval by federal and state banking officials. This press release is full of legalese and large numbers. Remember that press releases are primary sources of information, like the tape from an interview. The information in a press release contains the bias of the organization that sent it out.