A statement that a press release is nothing more than a written news release for a newspaper is?

• A. True
• B. False
• C. It depends
• D. Only for newspapers

Answer: (B)

A press release is a communications tool used to share news from an organization with the media and the public, with the aim of earning coverage across many channels, not just in newspapers. It’s written to inform editors and outlets about something newsworthy, but it’s adaptable for online articles, TV and radio segments, blogs, and social media as well. Because of that broader purpose, labeling it as only a written news release for a newspaper misses how PR materials are used in today’s media landscape. A press release provides the story, but journalists may publish it as-is, quote it, or use it as a starting point for their own reporting, and it can live beyond print in digital formats.