Media Advisory Example from the U.S. Department of Justice

The U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Public Affairs uses a media advisory to maximize press attention to Departmental activities, announcements and events. The Office of Public Affairs distributes them to the media via e-mail and fax. They serve for planning purposes only. The Office has found that giving guidance to the media greatly increases the chances of the media covering an event or announcement.

A media advisory is issued to the press when a public event (such as a photo opportunity, a press conference, or a series of public hearings) is announced by the Department. A media advisory is issued to the press at the appropriate time. Through a media advisory, reporters are given as much as a few days notice to as little as an hour's notice. For example, in order not to compromise a law enforcement operation, a media advisory would not be issued until the enforcement operation is completed, which could give the media as little as one hour's notice. However, a media advisory about a routine hearing schedule could be issued hours or even days ahead of time. We have found that the Who, What, When, Where, and Why, format is a helpful, quick explanation as to the details of a public event. We also recommend that information about press credential requirements, arrival times and logistical information for the event be included in the media advisory.

Here is an example from the U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Public Affairs:

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