I

MIas: IisIiIUS:
en
I 7
Using the media..................... 3
How to write press releases....... 5
National newspapers .............26

Regional newspapers............. 27

The Activists Media Toolkit

is written by

The Toolkits Collective

in conjuction with Undercurrents

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CD
I 7
Interview techniques............... 9

Complaining ........................10

Getting pictures published

in the press .........................11

National and regional TY. ........ 29

News agendes .....................30

Police press releases .............31

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Selling your video image to Local radio......................... .32

16B Cherwell St, Oxford OX4 1BG

television ............................ 14
National radio...................... 32
info@toolkits.org.uk

Organising a video screening ... 17 Trade press..........................33

Tel: 07970 343486

CD Using the Web...................... 19 Nlagazines...........................34

Cover design by CounterFeet c.::t What's wrong with the

mainstream ......................... 24
Alternative media.................35

Resources...........................36

@nticopyright for non profit making groups and campaigns only (please credit lJ~;) Setting up a local newsletter..... 24

I
© for everyone else.

~~~~g !-~ III~~~~ ~~--l

We have tried to ensure all information is up to date and accurate,

but accept no responsibility for incorrect or inaccurate information

'"ThIra'. 1M haIe_
- if it's wrong - let us knowl

And if you have useful contacts made through your media work ­
let us know and we'll include them in the next edition

Printed and Published by

Oxford GreenPrint
What are we up against? rising up against multinationals who are polluting their
local area,

115 Magdalen Rd, Oxford 014 1RQ

Triviality. Every media outlet shares the same On the face ot it, this is a

www.oxfordgreenprint.com
aim: to expand its share of the rnarket. as ollr aim i', 10 flI.lk('

by seeking to grab ,md hold

dlld
attention, This is why the media concenlr,lll", '>0
ISBN 095453140 X
on events, especially tr ivial, flashy clnd (J)lollrllli niH''>,
rather than issues. Most jOLlrnabts die (ollvill( (:d liI,1i Bias. Many outlets have a secondary ,Iilll: of
people can't concentrate tor rnore th,m a lew ~ewlld', pdndering to the prejudices of their
Printed on 100% post consumer waste r«yded paper,
and really want to hear about some large news-gathering organisations are
or Freddie Starr and advertised in by billionaires and
using renewable energy and solvent free inb mere trivia such as rrdHn,tinnals, which makes lite still harrlrr
the war or communities there are some outlets we ';illlply have IIJ
I

il
I media work tends to be tacked on as Sunday the because it's generally short of news.
an anerttlought to an action, with the result that The GM crop trashing at Watlington near Oxford took
to avoid: there's no point in approaching The Sun or interviews with opponents of the scheme there's either too little of it or the reporting is place on a Sunday afernoon, and received coverage
the Daily Mail, for instance, unless you're appealling to the difficulties of personal hygiene while tree dominated by the story from the other side's point of on all the national TV news bulletins that evening and
narrow mi rded knee-jerk nationalism or one of the In short, if the media isn't playing with view any organisationicorporation/political structure nearly all of the daily press the next day (with most of
few issues they support - GM being a prime example. in suits then it's ridiculing everyone else's . of a reasonable size will employ a full time PRlmedia the coverage reasonably positive). If you can, try to
The Sunday Times has been waging war on protesters Sadly, our job is to try to break through this and officer or team, who's sole task is to portray lhem as give journos their story by early afternoon - by 5-6pm
for years, and has no qualms aboul peddling utter ourselves across as more informed than the a nice friendly caring setup which has best most of the make-up of the next days papers is
bollocks in order to discredit the movement. On side. It can be done, but you need to play them at th( '11 interests at heart. They will dominate media already decided,
<,everal occasions its journalists have attempted to own game yes, you may feel compromised <md coverage of your event if you give them half a chance want your action to be ignored by the
infiltrate groups, or tried to secure cheapened by playing by their but you can do il - and they're usually good at what they do: aftrr on Budget day or when some foreign
information while pretending to be and keep your integrity, they're paid to be! Ensure you take al'> milch Cdrp with hC,ld of ~,ti\te i~, visitirllj you need to look ahead and
this paper at all costs. media work as you do ',(,I' wh;)! otlier evenl', <lre going to happen that day.
number of opportunities for It's not all bad, we do have some advantages: planning - you want to educate for other ddions - the press will nol
of the right-wing media: Integrity. We're genuine people, doing thingl' greater support, not risk the media ov('r mort' than one direct action story in one
occasionally slip past the because we believe they're right, not slimy hired you even further.
the Telegraph and Sunday hands pandering to the establishment for personal
are pretty unexpected. While gain. This shows when we allow it to: an open and • Out of the group of people who ~()[ I your media
nmnriptor, may be straightforward appeal to commonsense can cui work you will need to appoint a <,:ncjle per ~on dS media
some of through the clamour of sell
'coordinator'. You'll have to decide whether to have a
reasonable interest and spin-doctoring willi
single spokesperson or several but decide this in
make the resonance. When WI'
advance, and have a single person managing press
unreasonable situation. our unci utter I'd
enquiries, passing them on if necessary. This person
are allowed to be the
must almost always be based off site, and (sorry to Go on • put your heod in it
but the broadcast
state the obvious) be confident at dealing with the
media are legally obliged to be media. Not everyone is good at this, the ideal person
balanced should be confident, sociable and not afraid to open
we know, this isn't their mouth. Here's how to do

~
case, and there are certain
it:
programmes, such as
• Use contacts you already have. Call journalists you've 1. Write it in the :: .........
or Central Weekend Live
made friends with and ask them if they're interested or style of a newspaper
are best avoided - they are the
broadcast eqUivalent of The
on to others. Activists often say 'never
, but at some stage you'll have to,
article, as a
might do, I " ~··I
Sun. Don't appear on any
difficult to talk an action without it's
programme produced or
the aame away on the and grammatically correct (get it
directed by Martin Durkin, the
several other people)
deranged far right libertarian
to couch your action in
who made the Against Nature series.
bits as auotes from your named
More importantly, the broadcast media's concept of and
fairness is a narrow one: as long as both Labour and
No more than 8 WOI ds,
Tory politicians have their say, balance is seen to have
a paper - short and to the
been achieved, f'Wrl if the view frolTl We;imins!er is Inherent media friendliness
won't
a tiny Dill t of III(' polil i(.11 <,p('( If lJilI. We're colourful, fun, outlandish and outraljeOus. Much
outleh ,II e al',o V('I y (o1l',( iow, oj til(' ,J':> television executives might claim to hate u~,
and dr e even 111m e tr ivial television camer as love us.
media. The result is, once
Overall media strategy
Everyone has a different approach to media work, but
there are some aeneral themes which can be useful:
• Timing is critical. You Ileed to give 11)(' rll('di,) (,;)Oll'lit
the game. All media, but
notice of your action for them 10 re~polld. iJll! flol to()
,} set of rules - a formula for
much so as they forget. For a big aLlion ',('IHI (JIll
be balanced and
warning press releases a week and 3 days IJefor (c the
event. Look in the section on pres~ releases for more
info.
The day of the week will also make a difference as
media coverage. Friday is the worst day,
 of the vicar who has discovered that it's illegal your off-site press officer send out a
during his sermon, and intends to release the moment you are successful.
Environmental Activists Blockade GM Crops Company
preach continually in front of the threatened will
Press Release for immediate use
make them sit up and wonder what it's all about. you Who to send it to
25 April 2003
want to mention the tree-sit you [an do so further on ~nnnr'+e a lot of
in the text. to: all the
to GM crops this morning blockaded the UK headquarters of Bayel 4. The first is the most Tell the newsroom, ITN/C 4
CropScience [1] near Cambridge [2]. The blockade is timed to coincide with the Annual General Meeting whole where and when, 4 (Today Programme
of the firm's parent company Bayer AG in Cologne, Germany where UK GM activists are simultaneously is where you need to arab the Radio 5 Live, Independent Radio News,
holding a protest. Bayer CropScience is the company leading the rush to commercialise GM crops in the The second and third ies (Reuters, PA, AP Look at your regional
UK and Europe [3J they know and 8BC local radio as well.
The activists blocked vehicle access to the company's buildings by lockina themselves toaether with and the fourth YOIt ';hoilid also he aware of your local papers, news
metal tubes. One of the protesters, David Locke from Oxford, said dCj('[i( if:', ,mel i1ldependent local radio (most local
Don't write more than a sincjle page 01 M, II YOII I ddi(l (jet tlieir new', 110m IRN, but some do have thC'ir
a safety and accountability record as poor as Bayer's [4J to introduce a technology as i"hArAnt!\I
need to more factual information, do ',0 Oil .I own lo(,tI bllill'lill") there isn't enouah SDace to
unpredictable and potentially dangerous as GM crops,"
separate called 'Notes for Fditol',' thf'1lI ,III in lhe Toolkit, but
Laura Nauder lrom London said "This year is going to be make or break time for GM crops. I think it is break it up, as a large block of text willlJllt tlIC'1lI ol! deldil:'. from the phone bo
important to send a clear message to both the UK government, and biotech corporations like Bayer, Use numbered paragraphs or bullet Guide see resources section for
that the public still don't want GM crops, and that we will resist their introduction every step of the way," across facts and statistics, include individual and freelance
Sarah Wise from Totnes In Devon said "would you trust the company that brought the world heroin, 6. Write the date at the who seem interested
sarin, VX and Agent Orange 15J to make your food? - Because, frankly, I don'!." Always include a cause.
where contacts are You wil also need to tailor your press releases to the
the next two - ther-________________- .

Notes for the editor

For further information phone 07940 159979 (on site)
Include a name
the contacts at bottom of the page.
. rags will need
a different headline
I ttwrt's it: pack the loose
earth CIt"CUKf
1. Bayer Crop Science was tormed In June 2002 when Bayer AG the first GM crops to be grown commercially In the UK. 7. An embargo is useful put it at the top, above the from the nationals
purchased Aventls CropScience and merged it With With its 4. Bayer are currerrtly embroiled in a series mll:in·lmltlon dollar headline it means you are instructing journalists not 'Fulminster's
existing agrochemical business. law suits people died and many more suHered serrous to publish the information before a certain time, There bypass threatened
2, The blockade is located at Bayer CropScience iust outside side-effects after taking an ami-choleslerol drug made by Bayer are sever al good I easons for doing this: by protesters'
Hauxton on the A10. west of Junction 11 01 known as Baycol or Lipobay. The Bayeoi scandal has wiped - lounalists know they won't be pipped at the post by interest
near Cambridge. millions 01 pounds off Bayer's share price. other people getting the story before them, , Fu I mi
3. Over 80% 01 the GM field trials conducted In 2002 involved 5. For more inlormation orr Baye(s history see - It creates a sense of event. Advertiser'
GM crops now owned by Bayer CropScience. Should the UK www.bayerhazard.com, www.cbgnetwork.org and lita - A timeline concentrates a
government give the go ahead, Bayer CropScience's GM Harnischleger's recent article on Agent Orange in the Financial - You know when to publiCity and can plan your
r-
herbicide lolerant fodder maize and oil seed rapc will be among Times (Apr 15, 2003). media response
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I release and give additional information. Local TV, local radio
This is the usual format: forget the trade press - many of them take an
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EMBARGO: 00,01 am, Friday 15th _ interest in actions and campaigns affecting their
r and national news wires were prioritised. Several local
r 00.01 is a good time, as the papers can keep up with business during the M11 anti-road campaiCJn in Fasl
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papers, local BBC and lTV sent reporters out Atelephone the broadcasters, and it's less confusing than 00,00, London. press releases were always sent to Ihe
,r
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interview with PA newswire resulted in several newspaper But be aware that because you put an embargo construction press as well as the national rnedi,l, With
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articles. National newspapers were less successful. The
,,, on the story, it doesn't mean journos won't be stupid some of their journalists following events clo'>dy ,md
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, Irv news program based most of their report on enough to call the police or the company you're always seeming interested in the alternative', we
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lootage shot by an activist This footage also went up on UK occupying to ask their opinion, So don't stick anything after all. if we want rail instead of roads
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I InrlyMedia in which you don't want to be generally known. stili be il. are also
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I The action succeeded and we got fairly halanced local For immediate news, iike the press release you send on the
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Press work and how it went: media coverage, though not much national coverage to say you have occupied a buildina/worksite etc don 'j with the
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8e(or(' the ilction we wrote apress release (see ahove) and use an media is
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I Things that would have made it better
I ,I mailer of time befm e
cornpiif;ri iI list of email addresses, fax numbers and phone 1, Two people doing press work on the ground one
!lOII( cd by those who need to keep thclJ1
numbers I()r IOllfidists This was left with someone not generally chasing up journalists and one phoning ',wl'!'1 to c[]<,lJrc: they get re-elected.
going on the actioll, til st:nd out when the action started. handful of targeted journalists. There is a small database of trade press in Ihe IJ1)ok ,
Copies of the press relcdsf: ,lI1fl the phone contacts were 2. Getting direct phone lines for journalists you could send out 'war ning' We have included the most likely ones we (,In lind, but
taken on the action along wrth dedicaled 'media mobile wanted, rather than newsdesk numbers, a week beforehand. If your action look around on your next office occupationNt(' vi~;it to
phone', As soon as the blockade was up one person started 3. Having an agreed policy on giving video footage to 11" is a an occupation or a lock-on) have see what they're reading. Check thc Glhudiart F7i
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I phoning journalists to check they had received the press mainstream rnedia, e,g using a'Copyleft' agreement Media Guide for listings specific to YOIJI C.)1I1I););11f\ b:mI
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------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------_ ..
 turn up.
it Be calm, However mlJch the issue, your opponent,
the alternative media and email lists - vital a new press release every day as long as you've (j1,1 - don't say anything stupid or risky.
or the media itself winds you up, you mustn't let it
up extra something to say e,g, 'new record set for cr,1111 - be friendly, whoever they are. Bite your lip, Don't
show. Generally the calmest person is the one the
etc This will often their backs up even if you can't stand them,
audience sees as the winner. This doesn't mean
How to send them to cover the wider issue rather can't be passionate and enthusiastic, but
Generally the best way to send a press release has event. Be a tour guide.
and enthusiasm must be
been fax and often still is, However the media are If you some amended contact details or new Take them round the event/site and show them what
repeat mustn't,
email more often, emdil, for newsrooms are useful contacts please let us know you want them to see, Introduce them to who'll
hostility, If necessary, take a
where we've been them. If in doubt call inside front cover) we'll include it on well with them, and keep them away the answering the question. Be
the newsrooms you want to wntact and ask how you who won't be able to restrain their everyone.
~hould send them a press release, as at the time of Dealing with journalists in person doesn't seem like a major intrusion on their privilCy.
writing the situation differs between companies for The media-exploitation process is about new', stay with them, in a friendly way, and talk them throllqh iii. f3(' (Oil( i',(' 11\ ,lIfwing how little time you
instance, when updating the database we call all the management once journalists get to the action .I', everything thev see. You nlll',1 know I'X,1( Ily wildt you want to say,
to check their details. When asked for a fax well as when you're trying to attract them. You've il 111 .1', I,'w worth as possible, with clarity
the Independent on Sunday said that to give the best possible account of what Be ready to deal with the ones who don't turn dl'lulllilllltion. The main point must come at til('
alw"ys use email and the fax rarely gets looked at, and provide the clearest possible However good your publicity. lots of jOIJfn<lii<,jo, of the interview: you should summarise the
whereas the News of the World, when asked for their of whv you're doing it This means you have to do be able to make it, but might still be inter c~,ted issue in one or two sentences before
email address were taken abdck by the mere things: want to know what's happening and how thing'; I1rc on your theme. Have a maximum of three
suggestion they might ll~,e ill going, so there should be at least one person lines of argument Any more and both you and
The majority of individual joumlli',I~ in a use Make sure the right people talk to the available with a working and charLJed-up mobile phone the audience will get lost.
ernail.soit makes sense to use this dS well you journalists whose number is on the press release, Journalists are
can get their individual addresses. It's generally We ail have different talents, and generally III suckers for on-the-spot reports, so when iv. It's the answers that count, not the questions,
productive to spend a few minutes talki ng people find their niche. Some people ,II,' put some excitement into your voice. Give them When you go into
journalists by phone and getting them intere')tcd in running over aerial walkways or constructir:q of colour. make them feel they can see it.
the story, develop these relationships and you will lock-ons, others are good at designi!liJ 'he ,'"d;o, yo" I ........d'
I
must know exactly ,
benefit from this during future actions,
We've also found that news agencies (Reuters, Press
flyers and newsletters. Some will be good at talking I"
people. and are persuasive, articulate and well briekd
Being interviewed what vou want to f r _______
Interviews, and how vou • •~ .--.
Associtated Press) (an be very useful in
terms of the number of outlets they syndicate the
story to, so it's always worth making sure they get
on the issues these are the people who should hi'
to the press, Yes, we know that as well as YOUI
issue, we are trying to change
a bloodsport, and you, the interviewee, are one of the
combatants, People watch or listen to them in the
"
....
~~'
,
II

earnest hope that one or other of the participants will ~:t' ....
press releases. have to remember that journos r.....:;#t-­ .
~ Il'j
.......... .
_..
be gored to death. Like any other fight, you win not . t·,:
fax modem is invaluable and means you don't need (an to have a go at trivial issues th,!! through brute force but through skill. And, like any
11'''
~
r... ~
to sit by a fax machine for hours, There's plenty of are nothi ng to do with the campaign the finer other sport, there are rules you have to follow,
tree fax softwar e available on the web that uses a of tree-sitters hygiene, the length of dreadlocks. how So here are the rules and tactics, Practice, as in any some answers
database of numbers and a modem to automate your are 'not actively seeking employment'", So other sport, is absolutely critical. If you haven't done aiready worked out especially for the
faxing. for the campaign as a whole for the many interviews before, get someone to pretend to be ask, like the condemn/condone (' (!fI('
follow and don't send people who will be talking to the the interviewer a day or two before you're due to go and other things which seem unbearably II
spam, Snail 1l'.('lf l
()(;, sound similar to what the media class as a 'norm,II' on, and get her or him to give you a hard time. See
member of society· after ali they don't out oft(,!! how VOLI do, and find out which parts of your v. Don't Iy
Follow up and will be having trouble crossing the cultllr .II have to brush up. deal with
Give evpryo!1l' d' ,ill 10 (lit" k as it is. The best way of practising is by practise, to be caught out
number, PI '11.11 II 11.1',11', 1)1"'11 IJlIII"d IlIl1h .I Dile of and role-Dlavina activists versus you do practise, you'll find that all you have
other pdp('rWOI K. I r('POI ter<;. you've been through already.
be it pres', reled',!:!"
essence of the story. Be careful, but don't come across as Rules and tactics
database to check fax suspicious i. Be informed. This is the golden rule. Remember. this
changed or moved around the building, The phone call Some of them will be there to help you, others will I,,· is an information war, and the best warriors are those
can iJI' .I qllick one 'did you receive our press there to undermine you. Sometimes the lattel with the best information, Don't go into a studio unless
release)', 'will YOII be covering the action7', 'do you to be out to help you. The only you're confident that you know your subject better
need any 11)()f (' ifltor mlltion 7' safeguards are:
than the person you're up against, and can head her
Don't be put oil by tileir rudeness this is what - know who they are. Ask them their names and wi",
or him off if they try to outtox you with some new facts.
they're paid for. Be Icddy to on the story, or to work for, If they ring from the

This means lots of reading. Mdkl' "lIre

tell them why it's Slllh ,lfI illlpor I,mt i<;sue, especially if for details of
information is reliable and ';t,lnd', lip 10 I
they don't think it is. Be (Of1( isf' ,lnd and will ring back then forget to I%lmination. I"" 'Il ',1)1111' "I
Fo"i If the action is going Or) jar longer than one day You should find out who the
bfL! (such as an eviction or occupation) then send out the action. so vou'li know to be
',11111 dll( I'll"
::t::1
 R"""lr:>ctinn HOllse, london W1A 1M
ndependent Television
Street, London W1 P 7LB,
Tel: 0207 255 3000,
rlll,lil: 1O()n1.3~) 15@compuserve,com
your i. If you're fantastically rich, have been narned In • FOI indl'I)('lldrnl radio: The Rildio Authority,

viii. Turn hostile questions to rlnnonent as someone who has be. 'II person and have lots of free time, sue for libt'l. 11'., nol lIolhlook 11011',1', I t1 (,IC,1I Queen Street, London WPP,

are at le;d a (ouple of to be told the truth, Think of yow an option for most 01 us, but if you know OJ IdWYI'1 ')DCI. FolX: OlO/ 1j(J'J !()G4. Tel: 0201 430 212t1.

- De,,1 with the to put them right, rather than to prepared to work for free, it's wor th scndirllJ ,} II YOII've (jot d malar complaint, contact !III'

and you'll find that when you go into threatening leiter, It might prompt the P.lI)t'1 or Bro,l(kasting Standards Commission, as well as one

studio you'll be a lot less tense, programme to issue an apology and C,ci! Ie 0111 III the above, BSe, 7 The Sanctuary, London SWl P 3JS.

And remember when you go into a studio, you ,til' court: a few thousand quid for your (au~,e never Fax: 0207 233 0544. Tel: 0207 222 3172,

there to tackle one issue and one issue alone, not I,· amiss, Don't try It without a I ask for a copy of their regulations before
put right the ills of the whole world, Concentrate There is no leaal aid lor libel cases. is a valid
one task, and you'll make life a great deal easier h,1 and date of the
yourself, wait, and keep on
case. 1.------------,
FOLLOWING UP about
in the
A. Keeping up your contacts broadcast media

~!~
to write down the names and numb!'1 '. can be
you meet, and maybe make " spectacularly
worthwhile, as the

~v ·
brief note of what like and how they treal,·r!
If you're going to be involved in a lOr!' I producers of
keep the sympathetic ones informed abolil Channel 4's .. " -.,.:.J
'
it every so often, so that when the next event COITH". atrocious
up, they won't have forgotten what it's all about. Shal" Nature series
your contact lists and experiences with people in oth('1 to their cost.
In,jQn~n,j~n+ Television
campaigns: it could help them a lot. And send us
ix. Leave YOlli flol(H, hcilinci. If what you want to say contacts so we can include then in the next your case, verdicts in its
isn't in YOIH 111',111, YOII ',IHJlildll'l 1)(' in the studio. a leaflet/newsletter etc. that Channel 4 had to make a
• and distribute these apology and the series director, Martin
can. We could not suggest you go into from the company he worked for.
newsagents and stick a leaflet in every copy of the rag
in question, But you could stand next to the street Remember: if they stitch you up and you don't
paper sellers giving them out, distribute to all the complain, they'll do it to you again and again.
hOllses in an area affected by the story... but this
needs time and bodies. Conclusion
do not belong • Appeal to the Press Complaints Commission, It's a All
voluntary body set up by the newspapers Clnrl is
to will your audience over, So, for example, the SUlld I, useless, even though most of It, rnernl)(,1 "
'"lIiric,ing your Times claimed that ',"" from outside the press. Its code ill( needs sp('(
0ppollml'., 11"',llioll is often Ij:, ~ .... lA~
terrorist' tree-sitter', to reDlv and iour nallsl'; as it needs s[)('(
f. ,,(,:-~, ~ .)
quite dl('( IIVI'. ('Wi'll, 1('1's Salsbury Hill rnore there are, the mort' ,11'.)[
take a look .lIllII', ('lIlIilIY',lrie London will corne across, and the nlOW
~~ 1';":~1 Fax: 0201 3538355. Tel: 0207 353 12118, will be dttracted to our cause. This I'. hllw ',111.111
Alliance, Its rndillllll)(lr-I i', til,' .... ,<'*
,~(O..." ~

~\\ ,,~,
Duke of Westminster, who, rumblings turn into earthquakes, ThE" I ('volt It iOIl will

l~~"~'~~-<~
his name suaaests, I', d III. It you've been stitched up by the broadcast media, be televised, but that doesn't medii 11i.l1 it f~
, your prospects are rather better. It's by laws won't also be live. ~
cmJ __ "___
WVl\/1,mlflirr
 gfttnpg i~j~:r:fe::-j~hft~

- any sane person feels this way if they're is still employing. Here you have to be
involved in an issue stay cool. You can are not white ilS the driven snow,
back for a second go later in the is the thing to them ilnd most don't give two
a credit (also known as a the emeraino Cilreer of a rookie
aren't paying. You
will then
-.,..­ _ ........ -,,*­ sold to the press,

N()
of feature
one can deny that thr press is deeply up trees and receiving cheques, To stick .1 The golden rule is: if
Iht' information they receive. Given that a
'staffer' on a often takes up too much time and don't expect them to
a thousand words this same rule must
many of these newspapers aren't interested in the Editors have their own take on the story II If' in contact with
However, everyone has
to wider social issues, even thouah the events print a derogatory article using a (,jplioll Oetilll on back of thl'
there are many photographers around are happening in the you have YOIII {[Hilde! details.
who cill their teeth on direct action and gained meant to be informing, Ill" 111('1 care 3 ways of getting DICUIW.
THE picture sweet tends to be more imn()rbnt Conclusion: It's not all In the press:
their hearts the truth. Be nice even if
wort Ii you hate. On 1. Being a freelance who has a name to
interested to have a look at picture desks.
any good ...you'll have to
from your friends and fellow
your picking up ideas from what is
aren't good
you're not close National News - A whole different ball game. 3. Work alongside a sympathetic journalist. But above
still holds some truth These days all the national picture desks ail don't rant about rl- - - - - - - - - - - ,
despite the surfeit of pictures digitally (via a phone the
irrelevant PR stunts effect of censor ina many Empathy is
as stories in the ;:::::::::::!:======:=: name of the
press. are .1 published on bearing
stUdent and ones). The cost of an adequate most
It's a you are working in th run to about a thousand quid. However field
area (this avoids access to one of these it will open up
over as You will also need access to a
Impartiality is software and email. For
watchword of the medi,1 there - will often be an
(even though tho Associated
machine itself is run by the digital gear and
corporate money and on time. These guys also have a track record as an
are 'partial' and to be avoided, accredited news source with the picture desk.
have some good pictures of a local issue If you are not working on urgent news stories but are
he interested in and would they like to have trying to an issue covered as a feature (often the
directiofl, a view to the possibility of publishing thellL best find out who the journalists are who are
the pictu! e editor/news editor (it costs c;vnm::rthp!'!r to social/environment causes and link

There are 2 aspects to getting pic:tures in: your pride). Call them at the newspaper having
1. The savvv the psychology 01 (Jetting them to for m from reading their articles. Flatter them·
DO NOT give them don't get much of that and they oe',frvp it if ttwy
so you don't lose are any good, It won't make YOLI fed ',i( k 1)('( .111',(' il
are notorious for and will be
the oictures onto the
On the

Most news storie', Sldl I ()II d lo( allevel. so we'll deal

with the local press lif',I:
These newspapl'I" 1('lId 10 lI~e staff
I:Im photographers who 11I0S!lV drc (overinG cats
Written bv a news and feature
 Choose someone and close up would ask. This the activist
mirrr",hnnp (or clip it to the person's chest more animated In response.

~'"Hgy~~r
• Choose where the being interviewed should
offer your to Wnewsr either straight the lens or off to the right or
The established have the power of mass disttil?ution and left of the camera, It is better to ~Jive them an eye

ml~re~Tsa&~
to ignore it. Whifeit is vitally important to contact to talk to just off the Lanwra.
concentrate on creating outlets for our stories <:n""'''hes Generally don't work ver y well
alternative news videos and CDROM's as well as Internet is much better to take notes and then
broadcast, we can utilise TV for rapid dissemination on the day. interview the soeaker afterwards. However if you do
either plug a cable from the
microphone socket or place your
no sOllnd <,ysjrrn
news with no sound - check how many differenl cable (about fiV('
images make up each feature. Here is a reeelil it as (lose as you i .III III
example of filming a GM crop direct action with TV
mind.
1. Estahlishing shot . A wide shot showing the crop How do I get my images onto TV?
llidl growing in the Once all the images are in Ihe bag, keep an
watching Z. Close up/cut Detailing what the eye on the time and work out which news
camcorders 3. Group shop - a of the protest outlet yOU are aiming for. There is no point
response, Undercurrents tr ained activisb 10 record who the people are until 6.30pm if Channel 4 news is
Iheir own to the best 4. Interview Ask what is wrong with these GM crops at 7pm. Each broadcaster has its
of years we were, and 5. Action- imaaes of people the GM crop own news desk and all the phone number<,
recorded on domestic carner as, for are listed in the book. It may be wor th
transmission internationally. Today, most How do I get the best recordings possible? phoning news desks before an action,
and news crews use small camcorders, which are Stable images are the key to good video work. them you are an independenl
slightly better than domestic ones such as deep breaths and holding while recordina is "I (you do not need a 'press card'
video (DVCAM). They cost much less than technique. Atripod may be useful for some else to prove it.) and you h"vc
mounted cameras. They may have been slow off the overall it will be a hindrance. along to a direct action as a
mark in joining us but the camcorder revolution is now • A camcorder lens is at its optimum when used dl Do not give the if they
in full swing. short distances. It is much better to use a wide are interested they will then have
and get in the face of the action rather than stand al to come back to once the
Why don't news channels send their own a distance and try to pick it out. The most obviOll' have your
crews? Whal iJroddc1';lers call 'News' is mistake is using the zoom (going in and out on d is a national or a
r v1.1110Il', ';Iunl<i ~uch as royal subject) and panning (turnina the camera Quicklv leil can be tricky but star ies will 1)('
1I'llI)! I'" All prearranged in a to right or vice versa). You on to the national news il
i'. '"iI(' ,lfld Dfcdictable. Direct close uo than with a t-'ensloners blockading the high <,tll'l'I ovel
z
~".
traffic are generally a local <,IOIY willi,' .I
liA, ,1J/~, local protest over GM crops is
~
1 v: the nation at large so can
i~~ national news agenda. Phone the
vidt·o paint a banner. pull up a GM crop etc. news desk of BBC or ITN. This may 1)('
10 1)lilHI IIII' • To exclude the interviewer's voice, ask DeaDIe to Yorkshire, South Today etc. ConLli I 11111111)('1'.
ex, 1IlljJle was include the question in their answers· so the database. S<1If'lliie ,11](1 ,
sent 43 reporters here?' should get the or CNN <1rt· !llllnIH'II', 1111
to the 250,000 we need to stop the di'( I' ,lOll "WI ';>1111'1 1",,1"'1"
the politicians' ended and difficult to use 'hei ,llJ',(' il'"
was the video cameras of messy!' How do I talk to a TV station?
,1I!d tJnd"ri mrents who hiqhliqhted the real • Don't move the camer a away excited about a y ',0 II Y
01 violcill ',I,ll,' dll'l is talking. Anything they rcier to (,m of view. Why is a (1M
an exlllll',11 • If you are stuck for questions think 11101 t' IllIplJllant than the latest
But I'm not a professional! You can get a decent 11111' 1,,1 Where. and Who pointers to ensure YOII (Jel Ihl' Ilill;1 i' IIhlinstream audience? The
The notion of III'W', " i', nonsense. A 'tie diD' microphone may Ill' ,,1'1 Ice breaking can be 'Wlial do you confidence, Most news desks known ·1',
Undercurrents have pr oved Ihdl l.dn leal n how shops. to achieve?' or 'What would like to see as an 'forward h,WI' II) (!IIJ
F.FF.i"'i to captur e the five that are are difti( Try to be orovocative and think of what a demand
~ needed for any news hrn;vlr::ld Watch TV
 Should I give an exclusive to just one TV network?
No, as this limits who sees the images. If you are short Union of
seems to be the ru Ie of the Going to the newsroom yourself is useful as you can on time, it is always worth asking one news desk to
newsrooms so expect it and be oreoared. Phone ~ TV offer more of an explanation of the action and news wire it to other rivals. It is common practice between
station and it will go something editors are so out of touch that you will be a breath 01 ITN and BBC and saves you a lot of time. You still
News desk· Hello, news desk, Dilri!l~ fresh air to their stuffy office. Ensure charge each news desk that uses it.
clips that you want to give, this is your
Darius, my name ),lIIC ,lIld I have have full control of it at this stage. Keep Who keeps copyright?
a documenlar y Ofl genetic engineering of who you dealt with and details of all "","",,,,monic You retain all copyright and it is worth telling news
recorded a dl dllIatic direct action made. The news desks will now editors that they have the rights to broadcast for (4
pr olest, which you may be interested in. from a 30 second to a 3 hours only. They must contact you if they wish to usc
News desk Where was it? Anv violence? How from yo~ur images. Interviews are images again. Normally you can ask for 50% oi
are invaluable for giving the narrator ;nfNrr>"t;~n fee again.
voiccover.
What do I do with my tape aftelWards? r',/fJl 0' Connor. co-founde/ 0/
hy
What do I do now? Undercurrents runs a protest archive and (an dub YOUf alternative news. He has been
1111i11'11 1II1C'1;/5
Its time to sit watch the news bulletins and tap" and supply it to TV makers for (dlliCOIder images to TV networks worldwide for over
them if possible so that you have a record of who documentaries. We act as an agent lor ten years. Contact him on undemi'i)an.c1Dc.ora with
used it and in what context Send the news desks funds. Contact us via any questions or suggestions. July
invoice for the agreed amount as soon as possible

more tnan a

broadcast.

News desk HmfTI. that is a bit expensive, I am

sure our own crew recorded the event so we can

stating your name, address, amount, date ot

transmission and the contact name you dealt with on
the day. If your images were not used, then
them unless
cover costs. Ensure that
had an agreement to
you

your tapes arc returned

ASAP and edit your own story and distribute it.
I. ~rg~pl~l~g fjld.~~ ~~tirug---l

get it ot! them.

Frequently Asked Questions
You No you can't. I was the onlv camera invited

along.

News desk .. hmm.... how about £50 ?

Can we trust news editors not to portray activists as

just troublemakers?
No, we cannot trust anyone in the media
W hen yet another TV channel refused to broadcast
a oowerful documentary about deaths in police
the makers hir ed a video projector.
screening is for less than 30 people use a
inch or bigger) TV, as this is cheaper and
video projectors. Put the TV at 5tt
That wouldn't even pay my travel costs, but strong possibility and you have to careful outer walls of the Channel 4 building as a heads (and big hair) at the front
since you 'ieem to be struggling financially I will you hand over. If you have images of was screened to hundreds of reporters. for those behind. You can also have two
drop it to £300 machinery who didn't want to be was made about the most notorious in the middle of the room with audience both side
News desk OK brill(l the footage in and lets see it. you have the responsibility of either erasing those British history the McDonalds and a cable that splits the signal and deliver:, HI('
clips or not trusting TV news desks with the tape at ail. However it never made it to British TV but same imaae to both TVs at the same time.
How do I get my tape to the News Room? You must consider the pitfalls and benefits of getting to the invention of the video projector, McLihel
This (an be the hi( ky hll Id"oIlly you w,ml to go with the imaaes seen. has been screened in thousands of places. There is
the tapes bul 1II.Iy Iw 11111,'" dWdY wilholll ,Iny us from takina back the airwaves!
A',k IIt'W'. d,",h How much should I ask fur use of my video images?
is to NEVER tell the new" What do I need?
the money with the Ask around local
business. You HAVE activist networks first before
and appear to The list can shrink or expand according to your
Normal fees are around £ 150 fol budget, but the items below are essential for a stress­ model - flxf'd f()( 11', ,1!!tI
regional news and £300 for national but could ai>.o free screen ing: dist,Hiu' IfIIlll
to half or double it Best advice is to start Vi deo pi ayer or video (a mer .\
IlIilllll,", III
work down. News desks like haggling and ,u,' TV or video
'.111.111"1 0111<1 ,ifill
1'1Ilt' , good at it so be prepared. Don't be afraid to say no screen

~ 01111111.11 you feel the fee is too low. We have to push them illill Audio amplifier (Inc! "

out of your iJdll(l', II , accepting a decent price for our so th.i! .I Connecting cables
!,) '.f'!
the police. standard price can be in place for future times. Blackout material
I.
Label all tapes with Y()III II,IIIH' ,lIld dddll".'•. Video recorder or
lJllI: Of
Generally newsrooms al C (,11 1'1111 w'II1I.1I)1''' .md don't Should I get them to sign an agreement? Good video material,

lose them. but make sure they po',1 il h,i( k .I', ',(JOII d', Yes, in theory but impossible in practice c,O 1('Iv ,01 can CfllJ
verbal
Video players: a pub, in woods, a cinema or a front room. For - Produce the content of the pages and 'build' it into
You can use a normal VCR but atmosphere, it is better to fill a small room than to a web site

~~~~g !h~

on VHS than have a large room half empty, -Get some on the web to host your site
you can 2) Determine event name and write a one-paragraph -Get a addrp~'; ot your web site .
description of it. This will focus your thoughts. Beyond e.g.
Audio amps and speakers: TV, NewsReal, Wild spaces, Reel Madness, Global For site of 'computer
Its best to amplify the sound so II y 10 get a VCR that
has separate audio Olltplil', 101 Its two sound
Avoid VCRs Hid! 1i,1V!.: only an RF (aerial)
as these are Iioubiesome if you want good
Insights, and Undercurrents, are some popular event
names,
3) Consider the following:
- who will your audience be - the aeneral DubHc or a
web
around with articles on
web sites. They often Include a free CD-Rom
building software. There is even a basic
Communicator (tree web browser
',ollJld. For ot up to 30 people a domestic specific community? Otl IlIdrty (OWl (11'.(")' It is advanta(JPollS to havp
hi-ti amp and is fine. Due to the amount of - what kinds of videos and issues will you be article is a brief introduction to how III!' WI'" r .II' ',DIlI!'OII(, Oil YOIII ICdl1l who is able to edit YOII! ',Ii" ,',
on each video, sound quality is very presenting? useful to you as a tool for Call11l,li(J1l1111i ,1IId It up 10 dall' with accurate info strdirjili 110111
impol tant and domestir <,ystems are far superior to - will there be other entertainment awareness of your wlie!!' ii'" Ii,lppening.
<jllild! ,1I1IP~ or combo'. dance, etc.) or instant access to These applications are comparable to using WOI Ii
Willi ,1IIdiences of mort 111.1[1 30 i! is worth getting 4) Advertising is vital. Plan two weeks ahead and to qive you a processing or desk top publishinq applications and
11111<1 of a small PA aillp ,lIId ',p('dkers. 100 Watts the screening listed in music and free web page,> we dOIl't h;we they have good help files. Keep il :;imple and you
',/1ollld be large enough for uuw(h of lip to 50, but sheets. Write a press release and to and there's plenty of anoraks out there who are should be up and running in a couple of days. For
you need something with 11101(' OOIIIl)h lor stations and newspapers too will ina to share this information with you. more details have d look at
audiences. A4 Dosters or www,lInderclirrents.org/training
From an activist's point of view the web is an Domain names are very cheap these days
Cabling/connecting up your kit: useful tool, that gives people (both ,org.uk domains work out about £6 for 2. years
The best way to avoid problems is to have a tr [ill run and journalists) instant access to your registration, and will usually mean a more memorahle
the day beforehand. There is nothing worse than news without tying up your office web address try www.123reg.co.uk for
trying to sort out any technical Droblems with an line. You also have a relatively level playing field domain names.
audience waiting for the show to get to start on - much more so than with conventional With regard to web there's load~ 01 free
to be sure of coverinG every Dossible system it is media (anyone can set up a web page with a minimum space providers, the they
worth of dash and expertise, unlike starting daily papers/TV adverts, either as a pop-up window or a
kits available in video channels). page. Alternatively you can pay for a
(onvert every conceivable The first step - getting a web page - there are several your web pages. This can cost as little as
connector into the desired stages to getting a web site: The problem we've found with free space
the money.
You (arl screfll
data cable be a Master/Mistress of Ceremonies ~--."---.
good to have someone introduce the
can also encourage discussion and
people towards supporting actions etc. after
iJ.I',i( ''(ro'n leave your show.
il willi ,llId iron a table of flyers and info sheets for
"P"I PIOI"( lion IIpl omillf] events and related issues to hand out to
", 1II.Ik,' ill(' illI.1fj(' I)('oplr dS they come in or to pass around during the
, 1.1',1 I old ',( I i,(,II', Me\ introductions. The audience will enjoy it more if
hll C L,ciliti!", .III' (II ('.II Old (11iC they (an interact rather than just sitting there In the
screens with tripod legs are popular and darkness and then going home. You could even have'
as well. a questionnaire to hand out asking the audience til
comment on each video, This will help you decide what
Black-out:
wor ks and what doesn't for future shows.
The Vellll!' 11I·,·tI·, 10 he as light tight as you can make
8) Enjoy yourself and congratulate yourself on
it. Most video III "i"llill', ,He Iiseless in a day-lit space.
direct action!
Blackout teillll,ll"li,rI "OII<JW!·t! 110m il theatre is ideal,

but otherwise thl( k , Itll, 1)>11 I,dll Ill', will do or as a last

For the latest alternative news videos and screCllilll1
resort use black birl 11I1t'1 '"
events check out www.undercur

Checklist:
WE 1) Find a space. This «Ill 1)(' ill d ( for alivirf: Oil crmf>"i""
 disappear with no www,egroups,corn or www,topica.com), offers some
for web space the benefits, Fir stly, you can send one email which is
make sure your site distributed to everyone on your mailing list, which is putting video up there for downloads for info on how
appears. if you are on a slow dial up. You can also set up to do this see www,undercurrents.org
a mail input form on your web page, allowing visitors
to add themselves automatically, which is a real boon Promotion of your website: emails eg:
when vou're pressed for time as is often the case in Registering with search engines most people use a
fiies search engine when looking for information on the Check out Undercurrents: The nl'W~, you don't see on
the web based email there are two email web, so adding your site to them is vital. Look at the the news: http://www.undercur rents.olg
you securer web based email main search engines google, ask yahoo, 1111.,'1, Thi~; ',hould help increase the number of visitors to
and ziplip.com. They are more etc and find the bit where you can add d ',ile III(' your '.ile hili don't become obsessed by the number of
What to put on your site. use encryption to scramble search engine will take a look at you web p,j(j(' ,1IIe1 ili'" yllll '1"'1. 11'<, IIi(' qllillity of the traffic that comes
I Your contact details - on the front page or at least
11. emails so that they are less easy to read select keywords for reference. For mOf (' Ifllo "('(' YOII WdY lildl ((JIJII'" when it comes to a socidl (1,.1'1'1"
one, clearly mJrked click away from the front page. transit over the internet. wt'\)<,il,', II'., Ir'('dh,l(k and the ensuing partirijl.lllllil
phone ntlrnl)er, fax, e-rnilil, address contact names" Newsgroups should also get a mention. ,,,,.,/lJHI
Many ill'ople may be ace c"',inC] your site for this one of the original tools of the
re,NlJl ,ilulI(' so make it ed',y tor thcm, global discussion on pretty much any topic. If you
post to a newsgroup expect large amounts of spam.
2, Campaign information - The what, where. how, why (unsolicited email) There are other types of groups Stickers: They work, and cost £15 i~h fOI a box of 100
dl the very least all of the infor 1l1.ltion on your and forums that are web-based, (eg Yahoo groups sheets. Then laser print or "hr.lromm. real time.
don't have \PdU' for on www.groups.yahoo.com) but generally they seem to be onto them, and stick them and discuss
advertiSing funded. seconds to water proof them. in several different-countries ilt once.
Press: When you do any kind of interview or press For more info see the Indyrnedia IRe paue
4. links - to other sites of interest to your release try to insist that they print your URL. This is so http://irc.indymedia.orgl
relevant infor mation, and the target of your you can tell the story from your point of view. or http://www.mirc.com/(info and software).
to get someone with time and
access to do searches sites that
link to you. Web protocol is to exchanae links
between sites, Have a full email

~h~! '~ ~rQHg ~j!h !h~

3. A Mailing list once someone has visited your web the general information you want to
site, it is much better if you can get them to join your for a rnutuallink exchange, You can then cut and
mailing list, so you can then send them emails with that into the messages you send out. Make sure
your latest news, urgent calls for action etc, rather add something which shows you have read at least a
than relying on them looking at your site regularly
can also email Ihem to let them know if you've
the site with illlflOl I,m!
couple of pages of the web site you are requesting a
link from. Try to establish a link between your cause
and theirs.
Some web sites that receive loads of hits (visits) and
are likely to link to you immediately include:
mainstream?

email www.squall.co.uk, www.urban75.com

able to manipulate the
ow we've spent ages telling you how to deal with
emails
than on the wd),
www.schnews.co.uk www.venus.co.uk/weed

N the mainstream we're going to tell you to start

producing your own media. At the end of the day, you
publishing their own rant mag
million people a day. So forget ever
time on-line stories on why the capitalist systems ,I IJ.ld Itrilil) ill
need to be aware that however much favourable
that you can <lrduve ,11)(111'.,' IIii' l·llIoIib.l1 anything other than the G(lilrdiilll I'IIVII OIlIIIf'III
rn"Qr~nQ you get, they still won't tell the Whole star y ~
Web-based means you can use any inlclllf'1 (Oflllctted supplement (The Gr,llillidd i', IIII' Dilly lJK d.lrly 10 1)('
As the mainstream is owned and
machine to access your email (via a web browser) but owned hy ,11rll',1 .lIld 11\ 11·.Id fry ;j()(),()()() <Ii ',Il
a handful of very rich and self-(entred
I you will only have a small amount of for your IICV('f pill .Hld Illl'v '.1111 ".IV" .<,1', III' .dllll<' 11',11.1111.11'1'1111),' of
'inbox', news,
',y',ll'lIl
When INllq pop) email respect the privacy of the site!
your subscribl 'I'. 11 Y I() Bee your list (blind carbon S. Pictures - some images of the land about to be
copy - a featur(' .IV.lil,ilJII' illlllO.,t email programs) it trashed/pollution levels etc can really add to a site ­
means the list of Iwopll' yllil ',('nd to will be hidden provided they aren't too big, Don't put anything bigger
and each person Will olily ',1 '(' Ilwil ('rnail address, than 2-300k file size up if you want people to see it,
However, as the owners and advcl
unlike sending it 'to' the lisl WIH'll ('VI 'I YOII(' wilille ilble they just won't wait for it to appear. You can always put in mainstream media are the ones that prolil Ii 0111 lilt'
~ to see everyone cis('\ ('111.111 .Hldl!",'., II well a button in for people to download a high resolution
system they're not going to shoot tilelll',e\vt's in Ihr'
~ based mailina Ii''! (,IV,lIl.llJll' 011 version of a small image. If you're really clued up, try foot. or it would mean an end to the yalhts and
1IlIlltipll' homes. as well as the satisfaction of being
 And when they're not ·World bank grants Uganda 85% i:~:-::~~~;:~:::~7,:~.:.~:~7'·.-.~":"7:~-----:'""'--:-""-------"'":'~~~~"'-"'~~~\7~·-::·~.l
peddling their politics to the
masses, you find endless
relief on its national debt. So what can we do about all this? A few years
~.:~.~:~~~~ElY. mIllIOn people read' q newwr»er.·j
ago, the only option would be to buy a
trivia (Freddie Starr ate my
• Children protest throughout Asia
to end child labour. newspaper of your own - ideal if you're a 11Nr~~t~~h~~papeis are owned by 4~!
hamster was one front page !It'Ar0ft09~;at'lij:.£ef)iOnaipress is own.ad by ........... !
on the Sun) and thinly
• Britain's largest teachers' union
calls for strike in support of a 4 day
millionare, but not much use for the rest of us.
However, the very technology that has helped r····".•.. ·.~~~~paper advertising is worth
1 .. • . • ..... _ _.......
...', I
' ' ' )
disguised adverts appearing Murdoch de-unionise and dehumanise Wapping 1 .' • "\ .. ovtl: .. ~....,....a year, .,.1
working week.
as articles or features • British tourist attacked and blinded can help us - with the use of a desktop PC and . ...... ".
',." "1
. . . . . ' . . •: I
recently, ITN's News ,11 Ten by British troops based in Cyprus. cheap digital printing and photocopying we dre There are' 24.S.....
•.
households
'.". .
in the UI<,,:;';'1
" . , <....j
IJro,ukast a 4 minute piece • Air traffic controllers in Britain now able to produce our own media for very 24.1 mllon of tliesapWi1 at teast 1TV "\}' ',"1
aiJout disputed claims by claim that near misses have doubled little. 25% have $sl:rtellite dish :
vacuum cleaner
manufacturers, which ended
·Italy's most senior police officer is 38% have liable TV
jailed for corruption. Ever since the direct action movement took oM,
up promoting Dyson's it has been producing its own media. During Ihe b' 'i,":';;son
• First US McDonald's staff walkout
prOdll( h. Meanwhile, Ihcy
over working conditions. campaign against the Criminal Justice Act in . . Y~I·.·I·'·
1Il.1l1d<Jcd to miss a few trividl 1994, Justice?, a Brighton group who squatted : . -: .. '.. ' .:'.><",':/",\\::, ......:. :\\," " . ,\,''''' " "
• Police lift the 10 year ban on
',Ionc', off their half huur
Druids celebrating at Stonehenge an old courthouse as part of the protest, took :
(Ull)brt3",QI'Qal1i$a~:rOl'a'ltemative medi!iin the UK)
IJllilelin entirely:
on Solstice. to reading out various bits of news at their !<bas.
I ",", ....' . .
. .": ....
andZ. . . . subscribers
,........\,; .. ' ." '
'.'. \ .
I

meetings - this evolved into Schnews, a weekly t.... _.... _...;__.:.;____,.;;,_·;...;::,'... __ ~·,~·~ ....·.:....::..:::.··:. ... _____.... _________ .:::...:.. ... .:.._ ... l
ff£;~W A4 freesheet which covered all the diverse

~,~ftr\~~~"·"lTr··
IHEH£J<IT A
What prompted the editors to run this 'story' issues that were lumped together under the
over the rest is anyone's guess but it does CJA. Ten years on it is still going strong, with an
reveal something of mainstream news values. estimated 30,000 people reading it every week.
The sad thing is, many people are taken in by
the myth: 'TV is truth, truth is TV' - look at the At the same time, Road Alert!, a networking
rash of 'docusoaps' that are flooding the group for anti - road campaigns started
networks - now you can sit at home and enjoy producing a weekly faxed newsheet, giving all
the whole spectacle of life, without ever having the campaigns, the mainstream media, and
to leave your chair. You have just become a anyone interested, their own summary of
passive consumer of 'Real Life 1M', filtered events.
through the hundreds of channels now
available. Just as long as you sit through the Schnews is read by a wide variety of people;
seemingly endless adverts as well. activists, travellers, animal rights campaigners,
along with many more mainstream readers ­
And how much relevance does this all have elderly people have WI itten in praising Schnews,
but correcting their 'dreadful grammar and
to you and the people you know? Probably
none at all - even your local paper is probably punctuation'. Even reporters at the Evening
owned by a huge faceless corporation such as Argus, Brighton's daily rag, read Schnews - one
~
these: of their reporters, Adam Trimmingham says
'There is always room for a radical newsletter of

'II" I.
the Schnews type, it can cover stories that, for
Northdiffe Group - part of the Daily Mail Group
- owns 95 local titles various reasons, the local press can't and won't
I' I~P6W8-Z~i-';{l'li7w.''''
~
report on'. ~LEIIANCE.
MfJS.TH,.,VE NO IiFFEC.f'C#..
1f) !WPIENCE ~ FrM.A.l f; INl'I/VtnOAL WtrJf AN ""

'L~~t;;;, r=~~~8,!~
Newsquest - owned by Gannet Co Inc - the
.-;;:0--'"
l
largest US newspaper company - 203 local held r",.,{
f¥" HtNfV!I.j rv ~rs,"

- titles
Trinity - recently merged with the Mirror Group
- 234 local titles.
Schnews has since inspired rlIzmy similar
publications, in towns and (ili(", 0111 OVl'I IIIf' tlK,
which are able to report to tlw 10(.11 (Olllllllllilly
the issues that affect them, Irl,(, IWIII IIII'
:,ltJ.,
,'I~!'
~~vr
P"' .
~ ,:~." \-2!J~'
. ,,., -... ~ . i J__
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,..• ,.,.." ..~I Na.,III'''- ItJ •. UIIN'....,...h\lK1-iy1 ~~ANP DER}/C6 ON~;;'i-

commercial and political conti 01'. IIII' 1-. fHgu;/SJN'fJfl<~JLLs;:1W
These three combined control over 70% of
local papers in the UK, a decade ago there
mainstream is forced, or wants, to ddiwi I' 10. II
:. "! .. li-~n',:>,'"
;"U. [J~'(Md,f";"'Iy~
' J wotrlm prnre;tn;
doesn't take long to produce 2 sides 01 M IlwII ,\.!~;;',
2: (
were over 200 companies publishing regional \, there WllS ". ) 39""* the
di',trihute to as many outlets as will aucpl it. III , ' ) :; sn//no t ."':> . ~. "~D/ ""'-C..
and local paper, today there are 97, the top 20 .---.!~fA.!L -e.omnvn .... ~ '.s a>
I,.A, ~~.''''t}(\",,('''I''' -From T;l I•.;:"' " rn m
I,I( I d lot of small local retailers welcume tlic ':: --~'~~-:*~' ak8ffa. . OINJ\On 098ln
of these own 84% of titles and control 96% of .....-----"~=-.:"- r tn~ ~ wid
0111 iVoll of their weekly rant mag - it's the voice
weekly drOJlation. THI5 STORY 15 fACT BUT IT:' TREATMHi'i7.-;';-TJi'iN
01 Ilwir cOlllmunity.
1""'1
I
re-do it, but their facts in and plug their events,
media - now the Look up the local MP's news and have a go at that Take every chance to get reader feedback its often Filthy Lucre. YC's, sadly you're going to need cash at
as we!1. hard to know what works, so ask people what there is some point - for printing, ',jdITJP', etc tlt the very least.
Look at national stories that can have a local slant about your mag that makes their spirits rise/blood Initially this may come out 01 YOIII PO( kel!'" but issuing
nearest GM trial site? Which town is next boil/stomach tur n/brain switch off, subscriptions (eg £1 () 1)('1 VP.lf ,Hid f25 for
Who's stickina UD for asvlum seekers? organisations) is a good WdY ul
The format. Yes, the boring details how big, how - hassle your local FOE/~tlld!'1 II
it relevant by often, how many and so on, A weekly issue can be too Stalls at local events and in the I
with the local playing fields or conservation much work - unless you've got loads of new', ,lf1d of raising cash and

areas tIlat are being concreted over by McSheliBury's loads of bods monthly is okay but 50nw s10! i(H, (.Ifl Imflrls from

and then people will begin to understand the lose thC'ir impact totally if for example
relevance of these issues to their lives. They will see about an action that happenf'd w('ek', d'lO
that you are the voice of common sense and that Fortnightly can give a balancf' betwe('ll til(' Iwo
politicians and corporations are the outsiders, terms of workload and immediacy of drlil Ie:"
Some practicals: reversing the way your views are portrayed by the time to relax between
Gel ',0/ I,'d with an addre,,~, ,mel bank account - use establishment. Use 'we' and 'our' a lot when writing. about its existence. reaction you
10( .. 1 action centre a<; ,lfl addf ('s~, point, or get a If you still have room, stick in anything national or easiest format is a local
box (cost around £50 II building society or international that's: relevant to your area, interestin n -it can be Get someone 10
(,lltJb,mk 'clubs and societies ;)(COllflt' j" Ille E'<l<,iest to newsworthy and ignored by the mainstream media. or the distr ibution and
local resource

~
r
obl<1in. ~"" divide the list
Do a diary. You can and holds a
/<
/"~'
between a few
A3 is a
less common but
. (\(tm~sll.liil :wJS~ ~
who can spare an
hour to deliver it. The

~~tt~~g ~~
you SCODe for --~(]\@tI{RKA
~, . ~-',-'
.... distribution of
alternative media i<.
always the hafde~1

alocal·
bit. 1111 those Ulossy
mags in the
special issues every rciltWitl1-.I~J·
t J!I\¥lll newsagents have d
national so often). Try to ,-'-­ mas~ive distribution
-- -- - .. ---­ " ',.

newsletter
May Day, find a local small network the
and definitely include fun stuff printer/resource WH Smith mrmr",,,11I
- gigs by sound local bands, centre, student to
community fairs, and anything union or college -U' message
1..-_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _---1, positive. print shop - they
are a lot cheaper
<Jol ,) name and a team, Check your facts. Post-McLibel you're unlikely to get that high street copy shops - NEVER use
YOIIi P,l(I''', Wille ')ued, but you can look pretty silly and/or malicious if with glossy high street
d I,ll Wid,'! dlHlicfI(C hy YOII get stuff wrong. Also, going back to sources may ProntaPrint/Kall Kwik etc they
the .11111 I,,,, (1101 100 11111< h r cV(,dllllore dirt than you expected. If you can't check twice, sometimes 5 times as much as your small
yogurt, thllllqll) .111<1 III( ,lill'!lIdIIVI". 1"(' I;)(h. the best way around libel is the use of Put an aDDeal in the next Issue you may
and sustilindhl,' '.UIIIIIOfI·, 1IIII1IOIlf ,Hld loads of satire and sarcasm (you all read it!
self-appoinll'<J 1j(l.lIdl.lIl', 01 II,..' dil,'<1 .\(111)11 PfIV(ltl~ Eye don't you .. ,).
movement's ideological purity el( (lJ<,(, you of scllinrJ
out now and then, whats important is the local news Get photos and cartoons You IlIdV ,III 1.111
fur your at ea and your local readership after ali, the articles). This I]('W Will ,llilve,
')11(",

that's Whdl il '<; there for. enormously and should 1111.1 V'"I!·."'I III .1 ·1 1111111 debate IlvPl Ih,'
scanner and hI! ,,1111 ". ',lloulel lake. But belil'vI' II',
Start with the obvious IIldY !lot get much feedb,1( II. If 0111
groups anel (.11111'.1111'1', .lilt! ,IIIV')!'" hili I "lllI'llIiJef that you are slowly Idlil, .lli<,lfl(l
trawl the local P''1)<'!', 101 the text. Iii<' vvluJll' oi your local community - it fllll·.1 Ill' W{)llll
fillers that II
and IOfI';lIlTler waste is Written by Oxyacetylene. Thanks to Tilt' ('OIl< /lollel ./llil
the minutes at III, H1 dead trees. Schnews for input to this article. [J:W
~Get
~ there are any.
 DaUollaldaily aod suodlJPapers
-.. "'",""'!',.-_ . . .,:-:. . . ""--­ . . . . -_ . .,-_.. --- ......... -~----""!":-;-,...- . ,'. _.. . . _--"""'-''''''!'' -­
phone: 0207 928 8000
news desk phone: 0207 922 7070
news desk fax0207 922 7062
circulation (2002) 862,000
news desk phone: 0207293 3201
news desk fax: 0207 510 6235
circulation (2002) 1,336,000
email: peoplenews@mgn,(o.uk

en
Daily Mail 2 Derry St, I ondofl, W8 5TT.
phone: 0207 938 GOOO
phone: 0207 278 2332
news desk phone: 0207 239 9571 or/-81
Independent on Sunday, 1 Canada
Canary Wharf, London, E14 50L.
0207 293 2000
Sunday Business, 3 Water h()lJ~e Sq, 1·'It'
London, ECl N 2NP.
phone: 0207 961 0000

1:1
news desk phon!': O?O/ 9386372
news desk fax: OlO/ 9374463
news desk Fax: 02072399787
news contact: Andrew Cull
news desk phone: 0207 005 2623 news desk phone: 0207 961 00')0

news desk fax: 0207 005 2051 dc',k fax: 0207 961 0102
news contact: Tony Gallagher (ed) picture desk phone: 020 7713 40 70

-­

circulation (2002) 232,000 Sunday Mirror, 1 Canada Canary

desk phone: 0207 938 6052 picture editor: Eamonn McCabe email: sundaynews@independent.co.uk lundulI, III] ',N:
editor: Paul Silva circulation (per day, 2002) 401,000 Mail on Sunday, 2 Derry St,Londoll,Wg ')11 (J/() / Ih) j woo,
(per day, 2002) 2,400,000 The Independent Independent House,
7 0207 938 6000 ",k pIHHlt': (VO/ 293 3601

en
T
Daily Star 245 Blackfriars 191 Marsh Wall, London, E14 9RS. news desk phone: extn 713 3 dc',k !<lX: 020! 293 3939
London, sr 1 9lJX.

--
phone: 0207 005 2000, news desk fax: 0207 937 3715 (1I(lllelIiOfi (2002) 1
phone: 020 I 8000 news desk phone: 0207 005 2753 circulation (2002) 2,350,000 eillail: news@sundaymirror.co.uk
news desk phorl!': O?D/ 92? 73 73 news desk fax: 0207 005 2051 News of the World, 1 Virginia St, Wclppinq, Sunday Telegraph, 1 Canada
•
news desk fax: 020/
news contact: Lisa Hc!
/960 news contact: Adam
picture desk ohone: 0207 005 2692
London, E1 9130.
phone: 0207 782 4000
Canary Wharf, London, E14 50T.
0207 538 5000
picture desk phone: 0,'0;' 'V? n picture news desk phone: 0207 782 1001 news desk phone: 0207 5387351
_ _ _ _...J1picture editor: Mark Circulation news desk fax: 0207 7824463 news desk fax: 0207 538 6084
circulation (per day, 2002) The Mirror 1 Canada Square,
circulation (2002) circulation (2002) 781,000
Daily Telegraph 1 Canada Square, London, E14 5AD,
The Observer, 119 Farringdon Rd, email: stnews@telegraph,co,uk
Canary Wharf, London, E14 50T. 72933000 ECI R 3ER. Sunday TImes, 1 Pennington St, London, E1 9XW
0207 538 5000 news desk phone: 020 7293 3831 phone: 0207 278 2332 Phone: 0207 782 5000
news desk phone: 0207 5386355 Manchester: 0161 6836402 news desk phone: 0207 713 4009 News desk phone: 0207 782 5670
news desk fax: 0207 513 2506 news desk fax: 0207 293 3409 news desk fax: 0207 713 4250 News desk fax: 0207 782 5542
news contact: Charles Clover (enviro') news contact: Conor Hanna circulation (2002) 453,000 Circulation (2002) 1,416,000
news contact fax 0207 538 6268 picture desk phone:020 7293 3851 The People, 1 Canada Square, Canary Wharf,
desk phone:0207 538 6369 picture editor: Ian Ooyn London, E14 5AP.
editor: Robert Bodeman circulation (per day, 2002) 2,1 phone: 0207 293 3000
editor fax: 0207 538 76 40 The Sun 1 Virginia St, Wapping, London, El 9BD.
(per day, 2.002) 1 0207
The Express 245 Blackfriars Rd, news desk WeNe included all regional papers with areasonable

drculation ' rough~ 30,000 plus. For smaller; more

=~~':";::=~h r~g~~~~~ ~~~~y p-~p-~r~1

London. SE 1 9UX. news desk .. . ..

0207 9?8 8000 news contact: Sue Thompson local media look in the Guradian Media Guide or y o u r · .

news desk desk phone:, 0207 782 4110

news desk editor: John Edwards
(irUilation (per day, 2002) 3,441,000
The TImes 1 Pennington
edllol. NIt'I Md I olidufI, F1 9XN. Aberdeen Evening Express news fax: 0121 2330271 Bristol Evening Post
(pu tidY, ,'()( V) I),' / .000 0207 782 5000 01224 690222 phone: 0117 934 3000
Rnancial Times 1 Suulliw,l1 k news desk phone: 0207 782 5999 news fax: 01224 699575 news fax: 0117 (niji 'll')
London SE1 9HL. news desk fax: 0207 782 5435 Montrose/Dingwall/lnverness Rri',lul/R,illl/',wilidoIlIW<",loll :) Mal e
0207 873 3000 news contact: Graham Paterson Basildon Evening Echo Coventry Evening Telegraph
news de~k phone: 0207 873 4850 desk phone: ,0207 782 5877 phone: 01268 522792 new', {,IX: 0 1?O~jr)')fl(,il 1>i'"III' I '.j /(,{, \ .1633
news dl",k F;lX: 0207 837 3194 ed itor : Bob Kirwin news fax: 01268 469 281 [I'Y III'w',I.lX IJ,'I] /6550869
news (OIII.HI: fd. Carr, Environment: Vanessa (per day, 709,000 Boumemouth Daily EchQ AIIIt'1 ',luli/Stratford/Rugbyl';lllihllll
Holder Star William house, 52 Beachy Bdsildon piHJlII': () I ,'II.' ',','H,() I Dundee Courier and Advertiser
de~k p11011t' (vo/ gn 4049 Row, Bow, London, E3 2NS. Belfast Telegraph I"x: I) 1,'0,' ,"I,' II',
IIt'W', 013822?313
editor: Cllli'.1 dW',O!l phone: 0208510 0815 phone: 028 9026 4000 Bow Il( '1I11l1 II i III '(lol"I( hi I,>I( bur ch news fax: 01382 4'11] I,'l()
(per day, ,'(J(),') ,1X(,,()()() news desk fax: 0208986 569/J, III'WS fax: 028 9055 4506 Bradford Telegraph and Argus All of Scotland
F2"f6'1
The Guardian 11 9 f .II I II1Q<lOil Bd, Express on Sunday, 245 Blackfriars 01 NI + OonegallDublin phone: 01('7472%11 Glasgow

~ London, ECIR 3ER. London, SEl 9lJX. Birmingham Evening Mail news fax: 01274 773634 0141

01?1 2363366 Bradford/Halifax/Leeds/Skipton C!IZJ

I

Whole of Scotland & northern The Gloucester Otizen news fax: 023 9267 3363
The Western Mail Yorkshire Post newsbx: 01733 313147
England phone: 01452 424442 news fax: Portsmouth/Winchester/loW/Chich 0292022 3333 phone: 0113 243 2701 25 mile radius of Peterborough
Derby Evening Telegraph
01452 420664 ester news fax: 029 20 583 652 news fax: 0113 2388537 Lincolnshire Echo
phone: 01332 291111
Gloucester/Forest of Deanl Aberdeen Press and Journal All of Wales Yorkshire phone: 01 'J2; 8;0000
news fax: 01332 253027
S GIOllCS 01224690222
Western Morning News South Wales Argus news fax: 01 'JZ? 80!f!f93
most of Derbvshire/oart of
Hull Daily Mail news fax:01224 663575
phone: 01752 765500 phone: 01633 810000 Li ncs/Gain<.bor OUgll/Spd Idi nq
014823271 Stirling I Kirkwall/ Fort William news fax: 01752 76 55 35 news fax: 01633777202 Lancashire Evening Post
Daily Times
new,> fax: 01482 584353 Preston Lanes Evening Post Devon/Cor nwall/Scilly/edge of Newport/Pontypool/Cwmbranl phone: 0171? 254841
230023
599477 phone: 0177 2 254841 S-set + Dor set Cilrdiff news fax: 01772 880173
nr.ws fax: 01473 324 1776
news fax: 01772 880 173 Wolverhampton Express and Worrester Evening News t/Penrith/
',',!~X and Suffolk
Lanes + S Cumbria Star 01 ')(h 1'1,'l/DO
News The Scotsman phone: 01902 313131 rww', I,)x: 01lj()') 1,.,Y.OIl()
028 9032 2226 news fax: phone: 0131 620 8620 news fax: 01902319721 Won ',II kr dor d/KI( Idcl
Eastern 90337505 newsfax:01316208616 Wolverhampton/Staffordl Fvesli,HH
01(;03 NI + border + Dublin Scotland Kidderminster/Dudley Cambridge Evening News
news fdX 01603 623872 Lancashire Evening Telegraph The Sentinel Yorkshire Evening Post 01?;>3 ,.,1'1'13,.,
Notlolk I northern bit oJ Sllffolk phone: 01254678678 news fax: phone: 01 782 602525 0113 243 2701 news fax: OI??3 434415
Edinburgh Evening News () 1,'~)4 680429 news fax: 01 782 280781 32388536 of news fax: 02392 673363
0131 6208620 Nr 1,lfIc,/Burnley/Blackburn 5toke/Stafford/UtloxeterI Peterborough Evening 2 editions
new,> fax: 0131 620 8697 Leicester Mercury Leek/Crewe Wakefield/ Telegraph
Edinburgh and surrounding area plione: 0116751 2512 news fax: Shropshire Star phone: 01733 555111 Havant/Waterlooville
Brighton Evening Argus 0116 ?r)i O[)'15 01952 242424
phone: 01273 544544 Leics news fax: 01952 254605 r----_____ ___ · ____·~· ~_~_,

news fax: 01273555046 Uverpool Daily Post All natronal and. regional TV news
Whole of E+W Sussex phone: 0151 22/ 2000 news fax: Wales Echo

.~!~~.~~ ~p.~ rQg~~p'~' !,

producers are fisted - text in italics is the

Evening Chronicle 0151 236 4682 029 20 22 3333
name of the regional (usual/j evening)
phone: 0191 2327500 3 editions news fax: 029 20 583 624
news programme: Some areas \\ill receive
news fax: 0191 232 2256 SWales
more than .one regional TV channel ill
Berwick to Carlisle to Teeside Swindon Evening Advertiser L...-_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ---!! Oxford we get BBC Nev.sroom South East,
Teeside Evening Gazette Echo 01793528144
while iN believes we are in the Midlands
01642245401 2272000 news fax: 01793542434 BBC National News (Next news fax: 029 20 555 960
and gives us Central News Smdn and
news fax: 01642 232014 news fax: 0151 236 4682 Swindon + surrounding area Day's News:) BBC Northern Ireland ­
cabled up full<s get Meridian News as vdI."
Teeside - Stockton on N South Wales Evening Post phone: 0207 580 4468 News6ne 6.30
Manchester Evening News phone: 01 792 510000 news phone: 0208 624 9141 phone: 028 9033 8000
Evening Standard 0161 832 7200 news fax: 01792 469665 news fax: 0208 749 6972 news phone: 028 9033 8611 phone: 0208 953 6100
0207938 6000 news fax: 0161 8343814 SWales Neath/Port ITN -Independent Television news fax: 028 9033 8806 news phone: 01892 67 00 00
news fax: 020 7938 IIi ,.,7 Greater Manchester + Cheshire Talbot/Carrnarthen/Cardiff/Swansea News BBC Birmingham - Midlands news fax: 01892549118
London + SE Fngland Newcastle Journal Southern Daily Echo phone: 0207 833 3000 Today BBC Southampton - South
Glasgow Evening Times 0191 li? 1'J00 phone: 023 8042 4777 news fax: 0207 430 4016 or 01214328888 Today
0141)O? J()()O flt'w'.I.lx: 0191 7G1 8869 news fax: 02380 424545 0207 430 4136 news fax: 0121 4329929 02380226201
news fax: 01'1 I ill,' (,h'l(j Nt'wt d',II!' I ',III rOlllldlrl<] ;lred S H,lfnps/Bournernouthl Channel 4 News BBC Nottingham - East news fax: 023 8033 993
All of Scotland The Northern Echo Winchester/Gosport 0207 833 3000 Midlands Today BBC Plymouth - Spotlight
Grismby Evening Telegraph phone: () I V', 181313 The Star (Sheffield) news fax: 0207 430 4608 01159550500 01752229201
phone: 01472360360 news fax: 01325 380539 phone: 0114 276 7676 Channel 5 News 01159021917 news fax: 0175? 234 'J9'>
news fax: 01472 372257 NWhitby S Newscastle news fax: 0114 272 5978 0207 833 3000 news tax: 0115 902 1984 BBC Manchestt~r - North West
Grimsby/Cleethorpes area (sister Nottingham Evening Post SYorks news fax: 0207 430 4099 BBC Norwich - Look East Tonight
Sky News 01(m 619BI 1(,1 ,'()O <'020
paper for S( Ilnthorpe) phone: 0115 948 2000 Sunderland Echo
Glasgow Herald news fax: 0115 9644032 0191 534301 0207 705 3000 01G03 /Wl -1()', III'W', I.IX: 0161 2443122
phone: 014 I )(),' 1000 Notts + borders of Derbs & Leks news fax: 0191 534 5975 fI(,W5 fax: 0207 782 9902 news1clX: 01603 b()/8b', BBC Leeds - Look North
news fax: 0141 ll),' IO() 1 BBC Scotland - Reporting BBC Bristol Points West phone: 0113 2441188
Plymouth Evening Herald Durham/Holton/Sunderland
All of Scotland 01752 765500 Western Daily Press Scotland phone: 0117 973 2211 news fax: 0113 243 9~81
GIoucestershire Echo fl('WS fax: 01752 765527 0117 934 3000 0141 338 2000 news phone: 0117 974 6877 BBC Newcastle - Look North
01242271900 + 20 mile radius news fax: 0117 934 3574 IIf'W', fax: 0141 3371402 news fax: 0117 974 1537 phone: 0191 23? 1)1 l
BBC Wales -Wales Today BBC Eistree - Newsroom news phone: 01()1 ,'L' I~il('
news fax: 01242 2/18'11:1 Portsmouth News
Avon/Sset/Glollcs/HerefordlWorcsl
[~]j(1 N Gloucs+ Cotswolds 029 2032 2000 South East c/o Radio Kent news fax: aI q I r',' 1 () 1I,'
97664488
Dorset/Gwent/Devon
I Angrla - East of England
news phone: 029 20 590 758
news phone: 0113 222 8700

phone: 01603 615151

news fax: 029 20 590 759
news fax: 0113 24 33 655

news fax: 01603 622 574

LWT-l..onOOn &SE Fri pn- Moo S4C (Channel 4Wales. S4C IlEMS

~olice
Border Television - Lake am (l..onOOn IlEMS IlfiwcWk) is proWled by BI3C W~)
Dist/bordersllOM 0207 620 1620
phone: 02920741458
01228 525101
new') 0207 827 7650 or
news fax: 029 2074 1457

.- _____ .. _k__
news fax: 01228 594 229
O?O! 7651
CNN (Cable/Satellite news)
phone: 0207 637 6700 news fax:

p-r~~~
Carlton Television - London & rlf'ws fax: 0207 827 7710

Southwest Mon-Fri Meridian Broadcasting (SthISE 0207 307 6868

phone: 02072404000
ErgarKI-~) 1M ­

releases

IIl'W,) phone: 0207 827 7100

phone: 023 8022 2555
AvonlGbsIS'setJWiItsII)evonfDorset
Ilt'W:, lax: 0207 827 7710
news fax: 023 8023 7236
01179722722

Central Broadcasting (Carlton Scottish Television - Central 01179722155

- KKllands Scotland &SW Highlands news tax: 0117 972 31 22

0121 6439898
phone: 0141 300 3000
LWT Prefer Contad via email:
0121 634 4 IOi
news fax: 0141 3329274
newsdaesk@londontonight.co,uk (~Iease aboul any event they have had any involvement with.
0121 63446Q()
Tyne Tees Television - NE &N or planning@londontonight.co.uk on avoiccbank ­ in reality an answerphone that is updated several times
GMTV - National Breakfast Yorkshire Meridian Broadcasting - into and get the latest info, This also allows us to dial in and listen to the pollee
pholle: 0207 827 7000
0191 2610181
SthfSE England - Newbury of events, and, if appropnate, respond with our own. Many journos will take the police version as
II(,W~ fax: 0207 827 7309
n('w', pllon(': 0191 269 37 18
01635 55 22 66
gospel and use this as the basis fOI their story, with a few snippets from the campaign.
Grampian Television - North IlI'W', !dX 0191 232 7017
news fax: 01635 522 620

Scotland UlV Northern Ireland BBC National News (Future

not listed, they don't have one - you need to call the headquarters
01224846846 pi lone: 8122
Planning:)
they will then read the current press releases over the phone to all
news phone: 0122484671 news fax: 028 90(3 838 I
phone: 0207 580 4468
who call them, The Met have done away with their voicebank number and now email out press
news fax: 01224846802 Westcountry Television ­ news phone: 0208 624 91 41
when jounalists call and request them,
Granada Television - North
Comwall/Dev/W Dor &Som
news fax: 0208 225 80 80
,
West England
01752 333333
BBC National News (Today's I

phone: 0161 832: 7211

news fax: 01752 333444
News:) ! The Met press office Hamps Sussex
news fax: 0161 953 0290
Yorkshire Television -
0207 580 4468
phone: 02072302171 phone: 07626 932024
phone: 01273 479221

KJV - Wales YorksiHumb/DerbsiNott/Lines

news phone: 0208 624 9001
Avon &Somerset - Bristol Herts ThamesVall~
029 20 59 0590
phone: 0113 243 8283
news fax: 0208 624 91 44
phone: 07626 957011
phone: 07626 934068
(Berks/bucksloxon)
Avon &Somerset - Tallnton Humberside phone: 07626 932012

r-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------1
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phone: 07626 950441
phone: 07626 978223
Warks
satellite! cable!digital I

I Beds Kent phone: 07626 95?404

p~~~ ~g~p~~~~
CBS News I

1
phone: 07626925682 phone: 01622 650100
WestMerda

0207 581 4801 I Cam~ Lanes (HerefordlShrops/Wores)

0207 887 3020 1

1
phone:07626950160 phone: 07626 984856
phone:07626 913005

news phone: 0208

news tax: 0207 887 3092 I

I
Cheshire Unes West Midlands

I
I

5500
London office of the US news I
I
phone: 07626 955487
phone: 07626 957180
phone: 07626 952009

The main nation.11 onl''> dl e Ii"ted her ('

in.lall\ n('w~ i ax: 0208 ?? 2
network 1

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Cleveland Gtr Manes Wilts
larger towns have oJ ';flIdll news t l('e ,)CVO Associated Press
I

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phone: 07626 953739
phone: 09068 335559
phone: 07626 96104'J
the Guardi;1I1 Mt'di" (,uid(' 01 Ihe London Office of
hook phone: 02073531515 I
Cumbria M~e South Yorks
PA have a f1ll!1lb,:r 01 reqiollal the US news network 020/427421
I
1
phone: 07626972830 phone: 09068557725 phone: 07626 952018

1...-_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _-----11 APTN - Associated

I

02073538118 I

I Derby Northants North Yorks

I
Reuters Press Television News international news to UK 1

phone: 07626 955020

phone: 07626 952401
phone: O/f,.'l) ') 19')68
0207 250 1122
phone: 0207 410 5200
&. UK stories to the US
,
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Devon &Cornwall Northumbria West Yorks

0207 542 7947
news phone: 0207 482 7638
media ,
1
phone: 01392 452198
phone: 07626 97979j phlll " , ()/(),'('91?799
news fax: 0?07 542 7921
news fax: 0207 410 5210
PANews I

Dorset Notts Gwent

Worldwide IH'W', .HWncy - supplies
Was APTV &WTN - 24hr
phone: 0207 963 7000
phone: 07626 932345
pholle: O/e?() (j'lI 1?') phone: 01633 642219

200 broad( ,)',11'1', wor Idwide

satellite service to over 1000
news 0207 963 7146
Durham Staffs North Wales
24hrs (mark 1<10 dilly I'dilo!)
broadcasters worldwide
news 0207 963 7192
phone: 07626 955684
phone: 01785 232525
phone: 07626 95044 1

NBC News worldwide Bloomberg TV

The UK National news
E~ Suffolk South Wales
phone: 0208 600 6600
phone 0207 330 7500
- all forms of media
phone: 07626 925680
phone: 07626 932403
016558UL''!,'
news phone: 0208600 b()(,(, Ilew,> 0207 330 791 S
offices
~ ~rr~
news fax: 0208 600 6601

London office of the US news netwmk

111'W', O?07 392 6281!6517

BIJ',illl",<, & financial news on

______________________________________________________ _________________________________________A
._______ ?!_6_~~_::~~~~___________ y_h_~::_~:~3~_~~_3_~~~----------.lo::r'''II~TIJ

I BBC Radio Kent SBC Asian Network

vwveQllo/~e<iBOC~radiohefe, ~!hey afl have their phone: 01892 (Leicester)

SBC Radio Northampton
news phone: 01642 340666
news pnone: 01904 622033

<mr\ ~lll€M$program~a!1d malry of the independent 670000

phone: 0116 251 6688
phone: 01604 239100
news fax: 01642 211356
news fax: 01904610937

.ones~~dldritl!ave~efOratl)'Nay) don't, lheyget

news fax: 01892 675
news fax: 0116 251 1463
news phone: 01604 737666
SBC Radio Cumbria
SBC Radio Wales

a fl~~rrfronlIRN (In<lependeot Radio New.; . see

644
BBC Radio Cambridgeshire
news fax: 01604 230709
phone: 01228 592444
phone: 02920322000

~~~ BBC Radio Solem

01223 259696
SBC Radio Nottingham
news fax: 01228 511195
news phone: 029 2032 2787

phone: 023 8063

news fax: 01223 460832
phone: 0115 955 0500
BBC GMR Talk (Manchester) news fax: 029 2055 5960

SBC Radio Derby

<IDCal radio
1311
news phone: 0115 902 1931
0161 2002000
BBC Radio Scotland

news 02380 phone: 01332 361111

news fax: 0115 902 1984
news phone: 0161 7443035
0141 338 2000

374
news phone: 01332 375001
BBC Radio Shropshire news fJx: 0161 nb ')804
news fax: 01413371402

news fax: 023 8033

news tax: 01332 290794
01743248484
BBC Radio Humberside
SBC RacfIO Nan Gaidheal

L _ _ _~_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _~19648
BBC Radio Essex
news phone: 01743 237008
01 :]iV l(')? 17
(Inverness)

- SBC Somerset phone: 01245 616000

news fax: 01743 271702
news l,iX: [) I" R) ? ;(,:]()<j
phOTIC: 01463 720720

BBC Radio Bristol Sound news phone: 01245 616066

phone: 0117 974 1111

BBC Radio Stoke SBC Radio lancashire
[H'W:' fax: 01463 236125

01823 348920
news fax: 01245 492983
01782 208080
phone: 01;'):] ?b/" 11
BBC Radio Ulster
news tax: 0117 9238'373 news phone: 01823 348920
BBC Hereford &Worcester news phone: 01782221294
news phone: (] I; ,)" RIJI 00 1
028 9033 8000

SBC Radio Cornwall news fax: 01823 332539

01905748485
news fax: 01782289115
new~, fdX: [) I I~IJ b80821
news phone: 028 9033 8611

01872 27542
BBC Radio Berkshire news phone: 01905 337290

flews fax: 01872240679

SBC Radio Suffolk
SBC Radio Leeds
news tax: 028 9033 8806

01189464200 news fax: 01905 748006

phone: 01473 250000
0113 2442131
SBC Radio Foyle (Northern
BBC Radio Devon 0118 9464200
BBC Radio Leicester Ireland)
news phone: 01473 340707
news fax: 0113 242 0652

phone: 01752 260323

I,)x: 0 I 18 9464555
01162516688
news phone: 01752 234511

fl('W', news fax: 01473210887

SBC Radio Merseyside
028 71378600

SBC Southern Counties Radio 0116202 1555

BBC Three Counties (Beds,
phone: 0151 708 5500
news phone: 028 7137 8633

news fax: 01752 234564

(Sussex &Sunrey) news tax: 0116 2511463

BBC Radio Gioucestershire Herts &Bucis)

news fax: 0151 794 0909
news fax: 028 7137 8638

phone: 0148:l 30G306 SSC Radio Lincolnshire

phone: 01582637400
BBC Radio Newcastle
BBC Radio Cymru (Welsh lan­

01452308585 new,> fax: 01483 3049':l2 phone: 01522 511411

news phone: 01452 307093

news phone: 01582 637441

0191 2324141
guage station)

SBC Wiltshire Sound news fax: 01522 511058

news fax: 01582 401467
news fax: 0191 232 5082
phone: 029 2032 2000

news fax: 01452 309491

phone: 01793 513626
SBC Radio Norfolk

BBC London Live BBC Radio WM (West

BBC Radio Sheffield
news phone: 029 2032 2787

news phone: 01793 513 652

01603617411
Mkllands)
01142731177
news fax: 029 2055 5960

0207 224 2424

news fax: 01793 513650
news fax: 01603 284488

news fax: 02086249144

phone: 0121 432 8888
news phone: 0114 2675440
SBC Radio Oxford
news fax: 0121 4329929
news fax: 01142675454
01865889092
BBC Radio Cleveland BBC Radio York 08459 311 222

01642 225211 phone: 01904 641351

Note that all BOC nCl'lSl"ooms

have to be cnntacted by phO!1e

the Broadcasting House

~hOOard ' nnnc of them have

direct fines (or so

national radio
IFIN -Independent Radio News
0207 430 4090

CommerdaJ Motor
0208 652 3500
news fax: 0208 652 8969
Dairy Farmer
news fax: 0207 278 7570
Mining Journal
0207 216 6060
news fax: 0207 216 6050
BBC Radio 1 SBC Radio 5 live
0207 430 4814
phone: 01473241122 Timber Trades Journal
phone: 0201 C,1l() :]!J(,R pilorll': 0101 ')80 :]:]G8 0207 4304834
news tax: 01473 401379 phone: 01732 470032
news fax: O?OI 1(,', ,':] I I IH'W', I,)x: O/OR (,II) <jl)(,? 01
blllle!ins to most inde, Uoyds List (energy &shipping) news fax: 01732 470049
BBC Radio 2 'l'lt) l pendelli lo{al radio '>tations They phone: 0207 553 1457 Farming News
phone: 0201 ')I)() :]:](,1', ClassicFM prefer email: irn@iln.co.uk news fax: 0207 553 1109 01732 377289
news fax: 0207 16'JB/') O?O / Hl gOOO BBC The Today Programme Oil & Gas Journal news fax:01732 377675
BBC Radio 3 news fax: 020/ 344 n02 (R4)
(International- edited in US)

!r~~~ p-r~~~
0207 5804468 Get most news from ITN, does phone: 001 713 621 9720
phone: 02075804,.,68

news fax: 0207 765 5101 some own in evening program news fax: 001 713 963 6285
news tax: 0208 624 96 30 or
HortiaJlture Week
SBC Radio 4 Virgin 1215 0208 624 9633
phone: 0208 943 5000
phone: 0201 '1804468 0207434 1215 BBC The World at One (R4)
news fax: 0208 267 4987 This is a selection of· the more useful trade
news fax: 0208 1!J9 6972 news phone: 0207 434 2064 0207 580 4468
Housing press, most ofthe~'have run stories about
Main fax for all BBC flews news fax: 0207 432 3409
news tax: 0208 624 9744
0207837 8727 activi$~irytheirindt!stry in the past ror more
attn email: newsdesk@Virginradio.co,uk SBC PM Programme (R4)
news fax: 0207 772 8590 c()f)tad:~look~ around on your next office
phone: 0207 580 4468
Housing Today qccupatron/!;itevisit to see what evel yones
[iJi'l L.. news fax: 0208 624 9744
phone: 0207 843 2275 reaaing;And check the Gu,lI dian Media guide
for listings specifir to yoU! "
r~~----~-------~-~-~-----·
ThisH.stisbynQmeansexhaustive. !-'- - - - - - - - - . . . , . . . , - - . . " . . . . , . . . . ,
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PO box
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magazines and newsletters donated:- -~~ - - - .-- - - - -~ ­
to thQit periodicals section J nd : New Statesman

This is... phone: 01273 www.worthing.eco-

browse the shelves of YOllr nearest : phone: 0207 828 1232
685913 action/porkbolter

,
• greeny bookshop. : news tax: 0207 828 1881 www.schnews.org.uk Free newsheet for Worthing
~ ________________________ www.newstatesman.co.uk
~ The weekly newsletter for the South London Stress news, info and contacts
direct action movement Box Stress, 56 Crampton St for Earth First! groups and
Private Eye Weekly lefty political mag
0207 437 4017 New Internationalist the ureatest ... ~~ London.SE17

direct action
SquaB
news fax: 0207 437 0705 01865728181 16B Cherwell St, Oxford OX4 phone: 0207 274 6655

PO Box 9589 London N19 5HW

,
news tax: 01865 793152 1BG Dirt-digging sarf London

The original satirical fdnl Ili<HI phone: 07970 343486 newsheet

www.squall.co.uk
Index on Censorship Iii human hllp:/lcome.to/oxyace Sheffield Digger
'Radical quality journalism' ­
0207278231)
government ... Free fortnightly newsheet for c/o 54 Upperthorpe
web based with regular
news fax: 0207 218 18/8 Peace News 'downloads' -A5 newsletters
Oxford Sheffield 56

www.indexoncensorship.()rq 0707 DS 3344 Action South West

,
International covers (pn~1\r ,,1,111 IWW', !dX: (It'O I ? 180444
The Pork Bolter si chambers@yahoo.com
PO Box 4144, Worthing, West F;;;e newsheet for Sheffield Box 80, Greenleaf, 82 Coulston
Iii tree speech issues I )('.1 ( ('I J('w,,(lIlqn,.lp( ,Of(J Bristol BS1 5BB
The Big Issue WWW.J)(,d( CIH'w',.I'llo FUCKUP ... Sussex BN 14 7NZ The Loombreaker
07931 268966
0207 526 3200 IHI dl1ll rnillilarv &. _ 1 clo Manchester EF! Dept 29, wca99@hotmail.com
news tax: 020/526 3201 " 255 Wilslow Rd, Manchester Regular newsletter for s/w direct
._-----' M145LW
phone: 0207 281 7024 action
-, phone: 01612266814 Broughton Spurtle
regional news tax: 0207 263 9345 This is.u loombreaker@nematode.freeser
Earth Matters www.redpepper.org Of all time!" clo Broughton Books, 2A

r-t
ve.co.uk
020/4901555 lefty/envim news Broughton Place, EdinburQh.
Free newsheet for Manchester 0131 5560903
news fax: 0207 4900881 Pink Paper
I'vww.foe.co.uk phone: 0207 296 6210 Underanrents www.tpuntis.demon.co.uk
magazine for FOE supporters news tax: 0207 957 0046 16B Cherwell St, Oxford OX4 Monthly free paper for local
The Ecologist WWIN.50nOW, net .he greatest n. 1BG
area

...
phone: 0207 351 3578 Iii lesbian news phone: 01865 203661
Onewor1d Onfine
news fax: 0207 351 3617 • _ www.undercurrents.org or
www.oneworld.org
www.gn.apc.org/e( .. , Undercurrents Foundation. News &resources for
old acadcllli( IIld,! 11 ('W', Environment
Il<'w',ldX:
campaigners worldwide
Pier St,
Ethical Consumer WWWVIII( Positive News 10Venmem.n Swansea SA 1 1RY, Wales Urban 75
phone: 0161 Nf, ;'l),!')
news fax: 01 fi 1 ? 7(, h'! ! !

Ethical version otwnlCtl news

1 1.11)('1

Ol1ll1llHlily
The Spectator
0207 405 1706
01588 640022
news fax: 01 ')88 640033

news
--=, - phone: 0 1792 455900
Video news magazine, ~rchive,
training & SUDPort for video
www.urban75.com
loads of news on a range of
issues, with regular updates
Liverpool Eco
section news fax: 020/2420603 paper also 01 all timer activists c/o News from Nowhere, 96
WWIN.spectator. co, uk Living Lightly (both EFI Action Update
Gay limes quarterly) Bolsd St, Liverpool
0707 487 2576 Weekly centre-right news mag ~,- ~~Abox 1TA, Newcastle NE99 Free newsheet for Liverpool
news fax: O?O I ;'84 0329 Eastern Eye Corporate Watch
01865191391 www.a.lltureshop.org
www.gaytime:,.(ol:k 0207 650 2000 www.eco-action.org/efau Political videos
www.corporatewalch.org
Europe's biggest (}ly tlI'W~, &. into news fax: 0207 650 2001
Digging the dirt on multinationals
I actionupdate@gn.apc.org
mag news for the Asian
(Friday) and dodgy companies. Quarter!y

cmJ
magazine
lA' Ci!iJ

r-----------j r~~~~r~~~ r-------------l The 2003 Edition

I
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ktIYists' I..egaI Project
16b Cherwell Streel.
Anything else we think Is usefull
Produces activists guide 10 GM,
oil, how to research
INK • Independent News
Collective
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Activists·
edia
Oxford, OX4 1BG corporations etc. large unline 110 POIlohdlo HI!,
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PO Box 68, Oxford. OX'i IYS www.oxfordl)reenprinUolII Mon~WrendI Gntphbt i
www.subver Ii~,e.orq, fthilal ,mIl e!O friendly PO Box 1/80;. i
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Guardian MedIa Guide \,' WI",I rlid, C"hlflpitlq Nwloll, IIr,.lqn 1J1.'flhll" Iv print T-shirts I
119 Farringdon Hd, Oxon, OXII,I X S4.wtN Screenprlnt Workshop I • How to use the mainstream media
london. lC1R ,fR PliO/II': 08/0 III, 1000 IIII' Old 'i, huolhuuse. Klrkton of I
• How to sell pictures/video to the media
Phone: 01483 ?044'l'l, www.phulIl'(II{)IWIII,tI~ Mrl1llllllr. hy R,tlchln, Angus. '
The main guid!' 10 rnilin~,1r ,'.1111 Ilhll.11 pllOl1!' I (I up IIlrllp 'ilOtlilfid. UOI} IRN
• Whats wrong with the mainstream media
media contacts IId,1 hy In,IIIY pholl!' (,iiI'. 10' lIullvhlthtl', ,mel WWW.Ulf.llIl1ulr.mq.uk/5unrise/
libraries qllltIP·,. I ..hit t" wllh tl( o/ilnimal
• Alternative media· what exists and how
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c/o on the liddle, PO Box HIOO, I /11 /I, MIII,' 1M, 'll Wl'liIUHlli'" Will dr..lI/n Iv pllnllor
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• Books and publications list
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training and slIppor! 10' vidrll 11111'1111'1 "rl 'III 1''1, ~tlfJllHlI 111,,1 http://WWW.ethIcalntemet.co,uk!

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