Examples of news we like to use
- Outcomes of faculty and student research projects or studies, especially if they involve survey results;
- New academic programs;
- Large donations (both monetary and in-kind) to the university;
- Innovative teaching methods, e.g., a chemistry professor uses a crime-solving situation to teach about forensic chemistry;
- Human interest stories, e.g., a program has its first graduate who happens to be a 71-year-old non-traditional student; or a faculty or student who might have overcome odds to succeed;
- Examples of trends in higher education;
- Events (such as conferences, speakers, performances, concerts, etc.) which are open to the public;
- Special activities such as Homecoming or Commencement;
- Students' news (deans' list, honors' list, graduation list and scholarships) to hometown newspapers
- Faculty who can speak as experts on a current topic in the news or those who can answer press inquiries on various subjects
How will you treat my news?
Part of our job is to provide expert guidance on whether a story is newsworthy. We will help you try to find angles to stories which would help you gain interest from the media. How is news determined then? People in the media consider
news to be something unusual, and look at how many people would be affected, and how are those people might be affected.
Media Relations uses a variety of tools to get MSU's story told. The following are examples of what we might do with a story tip:
- Your idea or project might become part of a pitch when we call or write a personal letter to a specific reporter.
- News from the university may get packaged into a news tip sheet which is a collection of interesting story ideas that is mailed to targeted media.
- The story may be used in a news release.
- The story might be used for the MSU faculty/staff newsletter.
If you are promoting a conference with a small audience appeal or a speaker from a highly specialized field, it will probably have limited news value and therefore, we probably won't be able to use it. If a conference is particularly relevant to the public or if the research is unusual, we may be able to interest the media in covering the story.
What if the media contacts me first?
Ten tips to keep in mind when media calls:
- Who am I Speaking To? Ask for the reporter's name and what media outlet he or she represents.
- What is the Story About and What is the Deadline? If a reporter is calling for an interview, ask what the story is about, the deadline for the story, and if he or she has talked to anyone else.
- Set the Rules. You can set the groundrules for the interview. You should decide the place, time and duration.
- Know What You're Going to Say. Be ready for what you want to communicate. Don't wait for the right questions. Have something to say and say it early. Also, remember to keep your answers short and to the point.
- Don't Speak "Off the Record." Anything you say during an interview can be used in a story. Never speak "off the record."
- Prepare. Prepare for tough questions, especially if the topic you will speak about is controversial or sensitive.
- If You Don't Know, Say So. If you don't know the answer, say so. Be ready to refer the reporter to the appropriate person.
- Avoid Jargon. Avoid technical or academic jargon. Provide relevant examples.
- Offer Assistance With Follow-up Questions and Clarifications. Don't expect to approve a story before it is printed or broadcast. Do, however, tell a reporter that you are available to assist later if he or she has any follow-up questions or needs clarifications.
- If You Need Help, Just Ask! Call us for help if you need it. The News Service can assist you in preparing for your interview.
