How to Recognize a News Story

Information sent to editors and broadcasters must describe local, timely, newsworthy events that will appeal to readers, listeners and viewers. Following is a sample list of council activities in which the media may be interested. There are bound to be others related to your specific council and community.

• Awards presented to members or to the council and awards which it gives to others;

• Number of new members recruited during a membership drive;

• New officers;

• Basketball Free Throw Championship and Soccer Challenge;

• Senior citizens programs;

• Refund Support Vocations Program (RSVP);

• Fund-raising projects for people with intellectual and/or physical disabilities;

• Sponsored cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or other health related courses;

• Unusual or extensive church renovations;

• Student loan programs, scholarship winners;

• Other community service or fundraising projects;

• Knights of Columbus support after natural disasters;

• Hands-on assistance to families that have suffered personal disaster, loss or illness;

• Council awards to “Family of the Year” and “Knight of the Year”;

• Local results of Annual Survey of Fraternal Activity;

• Financial contributions to community agencies;

• Major anniversaries or related activities;

• Almost anything that is superlative: biggest, smallest, latest, or newest.

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The News Peg

Coming up with angles to interest the media isn’t always easy. Timeliness is important, of course, but it’s also important to focus on some aspect of the program or event that is interesting to the media and the public. This is called the “news peg.”

As a planning aid, develop and maintain a “forcing events” calendar: a comprehensive chronological listing of pending initiatives and developments that have the potential of becoming news pegs.

For the Knights of Columbus, interesting news pegs might be:

1. Announcement of new officers;

2. Winners in the Free Throw Championship or the Soccer Challenge on a local, district, state council or international level;

3. Dollars raised for the community through fund-raising efforts with examples of where the money goes and how it is being used;

4. How senior citizens benefit from the Order’s programs, with examples of one or two individuals;

5. Oldest or youngest Knight’s involvement;

6. An interesting community service project and the volunteer hours and number of volunteers involved;

7. Results of the Annual Survey of Fraternal Activity.

These would not only make good news stories, but also offer excellent photo and feature opportunities. For example, send an action photo of the Free Throw Championship or help the media develop a feature story on a senior citizen who has been aided through a Knights of Columbus program. If you take the photo, be sure it is of professional quality — a sharp, clear image with good contrast and interesting subject.

Use your imagination, and don’t be afraid to ask your media contacts for advice. In most cases, you’ll find they will be eager to help you. They’re as anxious for a good story as you are for a placement.

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