Break through the log jam to get news coverage

Why it’s so hard to get the media’s attention.

Why it’s so hard to get the media’s attention

Would you believe me if I told you that as you read this more than two million U.S. citizens in the nation’s fouth largest city have no water, food, shelter, electricity and other basic human needs—and it is not a big enough story to get news coverage?

When I teach seminars and media training, people always ask me what is the best way to break through the log jam of potential news stories in order to get coverage. I always tell them the story has to have a great hook, it has to stand out above the crowd and it must have Wow! I also emphasize that visuals are important.

Last week’s financial meltdown on Wall Street got so much news coverage that many news organizations are giving almost no coverage to the human suffering in Houston, Texas, from Hurricane Ike. KPRC-TV in Houston even complained to Brian Williams at NBC. Williams made mention of the complaint in a 20-second comment, then apologized for not giving more coverage because Wall Street was a bigger story. Wow! Even a network affiliate can’t break through the log jam and they have an inside track and great visuals.

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