Getting your action into the media — even a local radio show or small news blog — can expand your reach, validate your demands, and draw attention from policymakers, allies, and the public. You don’t need to be a media expert to do this.

This section offers ready-to-use content and practical steps to help you build visibility, tell your story on your terms, and keep community voices front and centre.

1. MEDIA ALERT TEMPLATE
    
   1. What it is:
      A short, clear message you send to journalists a few days before your event to let them know it’s happening. This is NOT the full press release — just a heads-up.
       
   2. When to send it:
      3 days before your mobilisation, and again the morning of.
       
   3. MEDIA ALERT – TEMPLATE
      Subject: MEDIA ALERT – [Your Group/Network] Holds “Rise For [Issue]” Action in [City], [Date]
      Who: [Your group / alliance / network]
      What: [Describe the action in one sentence – e.g., People’s Assembly on Public Services, Street Action on Debt, etc.]
      When: [Date and time]
      Where: [Exact location / meeting point]
      Visuals: [Describe what journalists can expect visually – e.g., red fabric, placards, local community speakers]
      Interview opportunities: [List who can be interviewed – with names, roles, and phone numbers]
      Contact for more info:
      [Name, email, phone number]
       

2. QUOTE TEMPLATE

   What it is
   A prepared quote that you can include in press releases, media alerts, or give to reporters. It ensures your message is strong and focused.

   You can write it as:

   1. From your organisation/spokesperson
   2. From a community member involved in the action
       

   SAMPLE QUOTE – ORGANISATIONAL

   “We’re rising because this system is broken by design. The IMF and World Bank keep pushing policies that take from our people and give to the rich. It’s time to put care, education, and dignity before profit. That’s why we’re joining the Rise For campaign — to draw the red line.”
   – [Your Name], [Role], [Organisation Name]
    

3. TIPS FOR TALKING TO JOURNALISTS
    
   1. Before the Event:
      1. Make a list of local or friendly journalists (newsrooms, radio, blogs, campus media)
      2. Email or text them your media alert
      3. Follow up with a short call: 
         "Hi, just checking if you saw the media alert — we’d love to have you cover our Rise For action.”
          
   2. During the Event:
      1. Assign a media point person
      2. Have someone ready to give quotes (short, strong, confident)
      3. Let journalists take photos and video (but confirm consent with speakers first)
   3. After the Event:
      1. Send them photos or a short summary within 24 hours
      2. Share your press release or quote if they missed the action
      3. Ask if they plan to cover it — and offer help
          

4. HOW TO CENTRE COMMUNITY VOICES

   Media often focuses on organisers or spokespeople — but the power is in the community stories.

   1. Invite participants (e.g. students, nurses, parents, informal workers) to speak to media
   2. Let people tell their own story in their own language — and translate only if needed
   3. Avoid jargon. Talk about how it feels, not just how it works
   4. Use visuals — banners, red line fabric, placards — to give journalists something to photograph

   Toolkit Tip: You can record community stories yourself and send them to journalists later if they couldn’t attend.

MEDIA PRESS RELEASE TEMPLATES: 

1. Global Press Release Template
2. National Press Release Template