PRESS CONFERENCE

A press conference or news conference is a media event in which newsmakers invite journalists to hear them speak and, most often, ask questions. There are two major reasons for holding a news conference. One is so that a newsmaker who gets many questions from reporters can answer them all at once rather than answering dozens of phone calls. Another is so someone can try to attract news coverage for something that was not of interest to journalists before.

In a news conference, one or more speakers may make a statement, which may be followed by questions from reporters. Sometimes only questioning occurs; sometimes there is a statement with no questions permitted. A media event at which no statements are made, and no questions allowed, is called a photo opportunity.

A government may wish to open their proceedings for the media to witness events, such as the passing of a piece of legislation from the government in parliament to the senate, via a media availability. Television stations and networks especially value news conferences: because today’s TV news programs air for hours at a time, or even continuously, assignment editors have a steady appetite for ever-larger quantities of footage.

Press conferences are often held by politicians; by sports teams; by celebrities or film studios; by commercial organizations to promote products; by attorneys to promote lawsuits; and by almost anyone who finds benefit in the free publicity afforded by media coverage. Some people, including many police chiefs, hold press conferences reluctantly in order to avoid dealing with reporters individually. A news conference is often announced by sending an advisory or news release to assignment editors, preferably well in advance.

Sometimes they are held spontaneously when several reporters gather around a newsmaker. News conferences can be held just about anywhere, in settings as formal as the Governmental houses to as informal as the street in front of a crime scene. Hotel conference rooms and courthouses are often used for news confernences. With mark1 Events you are assured with the most modern and the appropriate facilities be it the choice of venue, technical systems, proper visual aids, the entire set up, and many other such necessities, all to make the event a great success.