MCE Media Statements
Using Media Statements Creatively in Press Releases and News Articles
Use the short media statement ("Equal Access Programs") at the end of the article when using these more creative methods in the body of the article. Use the long statements on longer, more formal media, especially when you have control over whether or not they get printed (e.g., on posters and flyers).
The following methods conform to the USDA Equal Opportunity Public Notification Policy 4300-3.
Getting media statements into the body of your article or press release* may mean using informal statements easily understood by your clientele and less likely to be cut by an editor. The following examples were provided by the CSREES Office at USDA and can be used in the body of newspaper articles.
| 1. | "Extension programs are open to all" | |
| 2. | "(Educator's or instructor's name) encourages anyone who has questions or ideas to contact her at her office (telephone number including relay 7-1-1- and e-mail)." | |
| 3. | "Residents are being sought after as extension employees/volunteers: interested persons should call…" | |
| 4. | "Membership [in the Junior Fair Board] is open to any person in any organization regardless of race, color, gender, age, sexual orientation, religion, marital or parental status, or disability." | |
Accommodation statements used in addition to the non-discrimination statements above, let potential participants know that modifications or accommodations can be made so that they may experience a program in a quality fashion.
| 1. | "If you need assistance to participate in this program, please contact [name, number, e-mail, fax] at least two weeks prior to the program." | |
| 2. | "Program materials may be available in other formats. Please let us know your needs at least two weeks in advance by contacting [name, number, e-mail, fax]. | |
| 3. | "Program materials (or informative brochures on this subject) are available on our website at [URL]." | |
| 4. | "Algunos materiales son disponible en español." (Some materials are available in Spanish.) | |
| 5. | "Si necesita informacion en español, por favor ponese en contacto con nosotros por telefono [7-1-1 +area code+ number)." If you need information in Spanish, please contact us on the telephone…" | |
If you have a Spanish speaking person to answer calls, give their direct number, otherwise, use the 7-1-1- Relay number prefix for a voice interpreter.
Adapted from material provided by CSREES, USDA from reviews in Missouri and Ohio, 2000.
*Offset printed and more formal or longer items use the long media statements set for in MCE policy.
© 2002 AGNR Office of Human Resources, University of Maryland