Media

When it comes to working with the media, you need to talk to the appropriate media member. Just like the car dealer's sales manager cannot fix engines, members of the media each have different roles. Finding the right person to speak with can mean success in getting your message out, even if it's just a complaint.

By calling the media outlet's business line, you can often fix a mistake if you know who to talk to. That can save time and improve your odds of media success.

Following are different categories of employees that work within the media industry. Hopefully this information will not only save you time, but direct you to the most appropriate contact so that you may have the most success with you self-advocacy as possible. You will obviously need to contact the right people in the specific organisation you are dealing with. Remember, if you do not know who to contact within the media industry, go to our Service Directory.

Newspapers:

Reporters research and write the stories in which their by-lines appear above the first line. Contact them directly when they make a mistake or misinterpret information.
Editors assign articles, selecting the reporter with expertise or time to cover a topic. They need story ideas. They also approve all articles and corrections before they appear in print.
Photographers shoot the photos. They need ideas for interesting pictures and often have freedom to pursue a good idea. For instance, an ice sculptor who owns a catering business had a full-page story focusing on his ice creations with a mention of his catering business.

Radio:

Sales people sell advertisements, working for a sales manager. Spots are sold for specific on-air programs and times, but the traffic manager controls when they actually air.
On-air personalities control the banter between programming, and if the station is mid-sized or larger, a producer will screen calls. The producer can inform the on-air personality, through headphones, if an error was made in a broadcast and it can often be quickly corrected.
News reporters select stories, using mostly what appeared in the daily or weekly newspapers or on the wire service. They rarely do their own reporting so mistakes in print become mistakes on the air. To correct information, contact them directly, using the radio station's business line.

Television:

Producers control what gets on the air on local news programs and should be contacted if an error occurs in a newscast. (Call them immediately and they can correct it right away. Waiting often lessens the likelihood of a correction.)
Assignment editors map out a story, calling sources, planning sites for shoots, which reporter and camera operators are available, if a story should be covered, and who is going to be interviewed. They should be called if you have an idea for a story.
TV reporters control an interview location, but often do not select the stories they cover. Therefore, they shouldn't be called with a story idea unless you know them or they've shown a real interest in what you want them to cover.