Working with Reporters You will be much more successful as a media advocate if you develop an understanding of how the media and reporters work. For example, different media outlets have different deadlines. Do your homework to identify reporters covering your issue for the various media outlets you have identified in your media advocacy plan. Reporters may or may not have specific topic areas that they are assigned to cover, such as health policy.
Some reporters only cover the legislature while others only cover science and health policy.
Identify the appropriate reporter by contacting the media outlet and inquiring with the assignment editor. Seek out reporters at meetings and introduce yourself, offer them a business card and inquire about contact information. It is important to remember that a reporter is neither your friend nor your enemy but rather a professional who is doing his or her job. Stick to the facts and avoid inflammatory rhetoric or hyperbole, as it will minimize your credibility. Know your issue, be accurate and be prepared to offer a catchy quote for publication.