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How to write a media release

Characteristics of a media or press release

  • A media or a press release is usually written like a news story
  • It describes your news and includes quotes from spokespersons
  • It is brief and accurate
  • The spelling, grammar and facts must be carefully checked – careless errors reduce your credibility

Format

  • Your letterhead goes at the top of the page
  • Follow this with “For Immediate Release” on the left side of the page
  • The date goes directly below this
  • Put the name and phone number of the contact person on the right side of the page
  • Use a slightly larger, bold font for the headline
  • The headline should capture attention
  • If necessary, a headline can be as long as four lines
  • Keep the release to one page in length
  • The first paragraph contains the most important information
  • This includes the importance of the news, the impact of the news and your group’s position
  • Present the information in descending order of importance or “inverted pyramid” style
  • The last paragraph can be used to briefly describe your group
  • Do not use rhetoric or jargon in your release
  • Include quotes from your spokespeople to express opinions or interpretations and try to use sound bites

This fact sheet was made possible by the generous support of the                   

December 17, 2002

Lawn Pesticides Found in Toronto Rivers
Contaminated water reveals urgent need to enact pesticide by-laws

TORONTO. Responding to a study released today by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment showing contaminated water in the Don and Humber Rivers in Toronto, Pesticide Free Ontario, a coalition of environmental groups, is calling on municipalities to speed through passage of by-laws to restrict the use of lawn and garden pesticides.

Twenty Ontario municipalities are presently considering by-laws to restrict the unnecessary use of pesticides. Many of the products used on lawns and gardens contain the same pesticides found in water samples taken from the Toronto rivers.

Diazinon, 2,4-D, MCPP and dicamba, pesticides commonly used on lawns by lawn care companies and homeowners were found in the water samples collected by Environment Canada. MCPP was most frequently detected (in 30% of the samples), followed by diazinon (29%) and 2,4-D (6.6%). The Ontario Water Quality Objective for the Protection of Aquatic Life for diazinon was exceeded in 20% of the samples. Diazinon is used to control insects on lawns and is a known neurotoxin.

Dicamba, MCPP and 2,4-D are herbicides usually used in combination to control weeds. Studies have linked exposure to these chemicals to non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and birth defects.

“We urge municipal councillors throughout the province to quickly pass pesticide by-laws,” said Janet May, spokesperson for Pesticide Free Ontario. “Only a by-law will protect our drinking water and the health of our children.

Municipal councillors in communities considering by-laws are under heavy pressure from the pesticide industry to opt for voluntary measures instead.

“The health of our children should not be put at risk with voluntary measures that simply don’t work,” said May. “We urge everyone who cares about human health and drinking water quality to contact their municipal councillors in support of a by-law.”

Internet link to the study: http://www.ene.gov.on.ca/envision/techdocs/4335e.pdf