News Conferences

A news conference, also known as a press conference, is a managed tactic used by organizations and public officials to communicate directly with members of the media. Organizations select one or more individuals to deliver information to invited journalists and usually to answer questions. Presented by politicians and government agencies, law enforcement, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and other newsmakers, news conferences are a strategic forum for the delivery of information that is deemed highly newsworthy, timely, and significant. This entry explains the strategic goals and risks of news conferences for sponsoring organizations, the role of and benefit to participating media, uses of the forum in various historical and contemporary communication scenarios, and event logistics.

A news conference is called when an organization, public official, or other newsmaker ...