The free-to-use Community Newswire service helps charities, communities and citizen journalists get their stories into the national and regional media. Stories, press releases and photos are submitted online to Community Newswire, and the best are selected and written up by dedicated Press Association journalists and distributed to thousands of newsrooms across the UK.
Caroline Diehl, Chief Executive of Media Trust, said: "Now, more than ever, charities and communities must engage with mainstream media, have the skills and resources to cut through the digital noise, to give voice to marginalised and disadvantaged people, and bear witness to both the needs and the solutions in Britain's hidden communities.
“Community Newswire is a unique and vital service. The Big Lottery Fund’s grant reflects their understanding of the communication needs of small charities and their key role in keeping our communities strong and healthy. We are delighted that as a part of that vision we are able to bring Community Newswire back.”
Between April 2010 and March 2011 almost 10,000 stories went out through Community Newswire, 70% of these were from hard to reach groups and 100% satisfaction was reported from the charities using the service.
David Brindle, Public Services Editor at The Guardian, and a Community Newswire advisory board member, said: “Community Newswire is a fantastic and easy way for charities and local groups to get their stories told. 86% of those who use the service have told Media Trust that their published stories raised awareness of their causes and 72% said submitting their stories led to an increase in enquiries to their organisation. Services such as Community Newswire are essential for charities in the current economic climate.”
Stephen Mitchell, Deputy Director of News at BBC, is also on the advisory board. He said: "The re-launch of Community Newswire is really good news. It will allow important stories about communities across Britain to continue to be heard. Community Newswire is a crucial outlet for marginalised voices and I'm delighted that the important work that Media Trust does in this area will continue."
In support of Community Newswire, Susan Jamson from Chickenshed Theatre said: “Media coverage from our stories going out through Community Newswire has meant we have more volunteers, more funds and more support. We could not survive without those. Thank you Community Newswire!”
A spokesperson from Leonard Cheshire Disability said: “We have been delighted with the media coverage generated by Community Newswire. As well as The Independent, our story was also picked up in the Daily Mail and Daily Mirror. It is so important to give vulnerable people a voice
and that is exactly what you have done – thank you.”
Jerry Lyons, a Public Relations Officer from Stonham said: “I sent through a press release to Community Newswire about one of our clients who had really changed his life for the better. He had gone from being homeless to hosting his own art exhibitions within two years. Once the story hit Community Newswire our phone did not stop ringing and we gained regional TV and radio coverage.”
Beth, a Community Newswire user from St John Ambulance, said: “Using Community Newswire has made a big difference in the amount of coverage that the charity has received in the North East, especially for radio and TV as our news finds its way to journalists and other types of media that I might not otherwise have on my media contacts list or have access to.'
Community Newswire is part of a three-year, UK-wide project, funded by the Big Lottery Fund, to support citizen journalism to play a greater role in bringing about people-powered change in communities up and down the country. The project will boost the quality and visibility of citizen journalism and bring new voices to the national media landscape via Community Newswire, Community Channel and other media partnerships.
Charities are also able to access other Media Trust services including expert-led training, free communications advice from media volunteers, film production and distribution, and online resources.
About Media Trust
Media Trust says: “Media Trust is a national charity that believes everyone should have a voice and the opportunity to be heard. We work with media organisations and charities to enhance their communications and enable communities to find their voice. We own and run Community Channel, the UK's only national channel to be run by a charity. Media Trust corporate members are BBC, Channel 4, Daily Mail and General Trust, Discovery Networks Europe, Elmwood, Google, Guardian Media Group, IPC Media, ITV plc, MTV Networks UK & Ireland, News International, OMD, Sky, Warner Bros and WPP.”
