Press Reporters Naming Appointing Officials Information Organization Contact

American businesses, government "agencies" (departments), and organizations often want to make "major" (important) "announcements" (official information that is shared with others) to "the public" (all people). They usually want the "media" (newspapers, radio, television, and magazines) to help them, so they use "press releases" and "press conferences" to share the information with the media.

With a "press release," a business, agency, or organization writes a short article about its announcement, often including "quotes" (things said by people in the organization) and "images" (photographs or drawings), as well as "press contact information" (information about whom reporters should call if they want more information). Companies often put their press releases on their website. Press releases are also "distributed" (sent) to "media bureaus" (offices where reporters research and write stories). If the reporters are interested in the story, they might publish the press release in the newspaper or use it as the "basis" (source of information) for the "televised" (on television) news. More often, the reporters will use the press release as basic information, but then call the press contact or do other research to write their own story about the announcement.

For very important announcements, businesses and agencies prefer to "hold" (organize an event) a "press conference." Reporters are invited to come to the event at a particular place and time. A "spokesperson" (a person who officially speaks for an organization) reads the announcement and "members of the press" (reporters) are allowed to ask questions and "tape" (make a video and/or audio recording) the answers.