Broadcast News Release Checklist

  • Type large, capital letters.

  • Limit to 200 words, or about one minute of reading.

  • Use brief, one-sentence paragraphs.

  • Separate clauses and/or parts of long sentences with ellipses (…) to give newscasters an indication of where to pause.

  • Avoid contractions, hard-to-pronounce words, abbreviations and tongue-twisters.

  • Provide pronunciation help in parentheses immediately following any unfamiliar word(s) or name(s).

  • Do not put names, figures or other critical information in the first sentence. This sentence should “index” the story for the listener.

  • Make a spokesperson available, if possible. At the end of the release indicate if the person named is “available for telephone interview” and, if so, provide a telephone number.