CONTENTS

         Chapters
  1. The News Media and Family Planning Programs
  2. Building a News Media Relations Program
  3. Developing a Strategy
  4. How to Tell the Family Planning Story
  5. Tools for Analysis
  6. Matching Your Message to the Medium
  7. Developing Materials that Interest Journalists
  8. Making News
  9. Dealing with Controversy

HIGHLIGHTS

 Population Reports is published by the Population Information Program, Center for Communication Programs, The Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, 111 Market Place, Suite 310, Baltimore, Maryland 21202-4012, USA


Volume XXIII, Number 4
November, 1995
Site Visits
Site visits to family planning clinics, community discussions, or the homes of family planning clients can tell much about your program. If you want your stories to appear on television and stations have cameras available, site visits are mandatory because visuals are essential. Radio reporters, too, appreciate the opportunity to record on location, particularly if the story features music, dialogue, drama, or similar events.

As public information officer, you play the role of stage manager, or producer, for a site visit. Television crews need space to set up the camera and get a clear shot of the action. The journalists probably want to interview staff and clients during the site visit. You should anticipate such needs and requests and make arrangements in advance. Here are some points to consider in organizing site visits (17):

  • Identify several sites that could be used to tell the story.
  • Always arrange the site visit in advance with the clinic or program staff.
  • Make sure that the site you choose conveys the intended message.
  • Discuss with reporters in advance what they might want to feature.
  • Take the same tour yourself that you will offer to the journalists.

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Population Reports