Radio, television and newspapers are necessary to gain public (and government) support for general aviation issues. We must bear in mind that the average citizen knows very little, if anything, about general aviation. All too often, general aviation is viewed as a frivolous pastime of the idle rich and as serving no useful purpose. Good informative news coverage can do much to help general aviation get more sympathetic and better treatment from the government and change the attitude of the public that otherwise might influence officials to react adversely to general aviation issues.
Invite selected reporters to attend your functions where they may be of general interest. Extend an invitation for them to fly with one of your group to get them better acquainted with general aviation. Compile a brochure or list of all the things that general aviation does in your country and make this available to the press. This should include not only the well-known uses of general aviation airplanes, but also other services, especially those in the public service. Examples are agricultural dusting and spraying, police surveillance, ambulance work, forest fire fighting, fish spotting, search and rescue, movement of priority freight by air, courier service for banks and many other such uses.

When issues arise affecting general aviation, contact the newspapers, radio and television on behalf of your group and explain your position in a reasonable manner to the reporters. Normally, this will get coverage. The type of coverage will depend on how well prepared you are and how you approach the news media. Have a written release ready to give them. Here are some rules which you should find useful:

DO - find out when deadline times are for local media and avoid contacting them at those times unless there is an immediate news event. Morning papers are best contacted early in the day; afternoon papers later in the day. Avoid trying to make contact with television news rooms late in the day as they approach the deadline for early news.

DON'T - threaten, badger or plead for coverage. If the event warrants, the news media will welcome the opportunity to cover it; if it doesn't, there's little chance to force it.

DO - have a prepared statement.

DO - know the points you want to get across an DON'T let the interviewer deter you. Lead your answers back to the points you want to make.

DON'T - accept every question as being based on a correct premise. For instance, if a reporter starts a question something like this: "Because of the high accident rate at this airport. . . " first correct that misstatement before answering the question.

DO - make your answers short and to the point.