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The important thing is to think broadly and creatively about a newspaper, radio or television station regarding possible story topics—and to which section or program they might appeal. For example, rather than thinking only of the news editor of a newspaper, you also can consider the following:
- Women's page editors. Example: New Relief Society callings or human interest stories that appeal to women. Home, family and personal enrichment meetings may have story appeal.
- Sports pages. Example: Stories about the athletic achievements or interests of Church members, young or old.
- Religion editors or columnists. Example: Stories about a local Church leader, special meetings, Church growth, new policies, or human interest story such as a local Church member with a unique hobby or talent.
- Feature editors or writers. Example: Stories about communication between parents and children or activities for families.
- Producers of radio or television talk shows. Examples: Visiting Church leaders or guests who have something interesting to say, such as family history researchers, parenting experts, or missionaries with special assignments.
- Specialized correspondents. Example: A medical writer who writes stories about the Church health code or special fitness programs.
- Photo editors. Example: Story about a good local service project with substantial visual interest.
- Lifestyle editor. Example: Story about a local unit's promotion of the Family Home Evening Resource Book or National Family Week events.
Use judgment in how frequently you attempt to place stories with the same reporter or editor.
See the following example:
Name of Contact
Radio WXYZ Des Moines FM 100.3/AM 980
2050 South Main Street
Des Moines , IA 50260
Tel: (515) 226-0021 Fax: (515) 224-9000
E-Mail/Web Site
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Format:
Radio WXYZ is an all-talk station except for overnight middle-of-the-road music. Its principal news broadcast is from 7 to 9 a.m. each day and features an in-depth look at international, national, and local news interspersed with interviews and listener calls. On weekdays, the rest of the day is taken up with talk shows hosted by regular staff personalities. Weekends include sports, programs on specialized topics such as gardening, and business reviews.
Opportunities and Placements:
- "Sunday Forum," 10 a.m. to noon on Sundays. Public affairs program. In-depth look at social, political, moral, and religious issues. Hosted by Ted Mabel, an ordained Protestant minister. Program format: news items followed by interviews. Sometimes includes interviews with members of religious groups. Contact: producer Jill Watson.
- "Mike Gibson Show," 9 a.m. to noon. Talk show, general interest. Contact: producer Marilyn Summers.
- "Time Out," 6:30 to 10 p.m. Hosted by guest presenters Monday through Friday. Listeners call in on specified topics, usually two or three issues each night. Good opportunity for Church comment on selected issues, if used sparingly. Contact: producer Jonathon Biggs
- Public service announcements. The station accepts locally written public service announcements about events of interest to the local public. Contact: public service director Shawna Test.
- News programs: five-minute bulletins of major news on the hour; thirty-minute news roundups, including local news, at noon and 6 p.m.; "World in Focus," a news review from 7 to 9 a.m. including international, national, and local news. Usually ends with a human interest story. Contact for all news placement: John Jonas, news director.
- Nice story on local Church growth last year resulted from contact with Jonathon Biggs.
- Human interest story on Bishop Smith done at beginning of year by “Sunday Forum” host Ted Mabel.
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Serving in the Church
