Extension Marketing Resources

Newspapers

What Is News?

News is:

• Timely. Something that has just happened or is just about to happen is timely. Words such as "yesterday," "Thursday" or "tomorrow" make a story timely. The odds for successful publication will climb if your story is current.
• Close. Your story should have a local angle or appeal. Something that happens close to home or that affects local residents is likely of interest to the media.
• Important. Events that have an impact on your readers or that concern prominent people are significant.
• Unusual. When the man bites the dog, it's news.
• Of human interest. Some stories are newsworthy because they bring about an emotional response in their readers – rage, laughter, tears, etc.

If the story you have in mind is timely, close and important, or if it is unusual or has human interest, you must next figure out if the newspaper is the best place to tell it.

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