What follows is an annotated template for a good press release. Here are a couple of nice examples from this website:
The Movement for the Abolition of War NAME OF ORGANISATION
PRESS RELEASE MAKE IT CLEAR WHAT THIS DOCUMENT IS!
EMBARGOED UNTIL / FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 25 FEBRUARY 2015 DATE FOR PUBLICATION
MAW WARNS UK GOVERNMENT: STAY OUT OF UKRAINE HEADING SUMS UP KEY MESSAGE
The Movement for the Abolition of War (MAW) has called on the UK government not to become involved in the conflict in the Ukraine. INTRO SETTING OUT MAIN POINT CLEARLY
It has condemned the announcement that the government is considering “further requests for support” from Ukraine and warns that the commitment not to send combat troops could easily be eroded. MORE INFORMATION TO EXPLAIN THE FIRST PARAGRAPH
Defence Secretary Michael Fallon told MPs that a total of 75 military personnel will be sent to the Ukraine in the next few weeks to provide advice and training. A LITTLE MORE INFORMATION GIVING BACKGROUND FACTS – KEEP ALL THE INFORMATION IN “BITE SIZE” ONE-SENTENCE PARAGRAPHS
MAW warns that sending military personnel to Ukraine will increase the risk of armed conflict and do nothing to bring about a negotiated settlement. SUMMING UP THE REASONING BEHIND WHAT MAW SAYS
MAW chair Tim Devereux said: “This is a worrying development which will only serve to stoke up hostilities in Ukraine instead of encouraging negotiations towards a peaceful settlement. PITHY, RELEVANT QUOTES FROM MAW SPOKESPERSON. NO MORE THAN THREE PARAGRAPHS. A COMMENT/OPINION/VALUE JUDGMENT ABOUT THE ISSUE, NOT A REPETITION OF THE BASIC FACTS. MAKE IT LIKE A REAL PERSON SAYING SOMETHING
“We call on the UK government to promote peace in Europe, not war, and to commit to a non-violent solution in Ukraine.”
SOME MORE INFORMATION, INCLUDING THE “CALL TO ACTION” – WHAT WE WANT SOMEONE, EG THE GOVERNMENT, TO DO
ends MAKES CLEAR THE PRESS RELEASE FINISHES HERE EXCEPT FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Contact AN ESSENTIAL BIT OF INFORMATION
Contact person’s name,
Their position in MAW,
Landline phone number,
Mobile phone number,
Email address
MAKE SURE THE PERSON WILL BE AVAILABLE TO ANSWER QUESTIONS OR ARRANGE INTERVIEWS
Notes for editors PUT EXTRA INFORMATION HERE THAT IS NOT NEEDED IN THE MAIN PRESS RELEASE: NAMES, ADDRESSES, WEB LINKS, DESCRIPTIONS OF ORGANISATIONS INVOLVED
About The Movement for the Abolition of War
The Movement for the Abolition of War is a campaigning group arguing for alternatives to war as a means of settling disputes. For more information please see https://abolishwar.net. WEBSITE FOR GENERAL INFORMATION
