Finding the right person to contact at a news organization is important for anyone who wants to be heard. There are a few basic tips for finding the right person:

• Check the web site for a directory (or the print edition of a newspaper)
• If the organization has an ombudsman, reader representative or public editor, ask them whom to contact.
• If at a loss, call the publisher's or station manager's assistant. This person is often the most professional, polite and informed resource on such matters.

Beyond that Journalism.org has put together a sample listing of who does what at a newspaper or TV station:Who's Who at a NewspaperLooking at the staff page of a newspaper can be a confusing experience, but each person in the box has a specific role and knowing which one is most likely to handle your specific concern is important to getting action taken. A misdirected phone call or letter may get lost in a day's activities.Depending on the size, personnel and history of each paper, the various titles can mean different day-to-day jobs, but there are some relatively standard rules for who does what. Herewith a look at the titles and jobs of the staff at a newspaper:Publisher: This person is generally in control of the newspaper as a business. He or she looks after the paper's bottom line, is the bridge between its advertising and editorial sides, and its face in the community. If you have concerns with advertisements the paper is running or feel it is consistently out of step with the community, you might want to write the publisher a letter. The Publisher is also a good person of last resort to write if all else has failed.Editor or Editor-in-Chief: At the top of the newsroom pyramid, this person is in charge of the paper's overall content. He or she is in charge of setting the direction of the paper's coverage and often makes the calls about where stories are placed, at least on the front page. You should not write or call this person with light concerns, such as a small error in a particular story, but rather with bigger problems or issues, like the printing of incorrect and potentially damaging information about a person or organization.Executive Editor or Managing Editor: This person is usually in charge of the day-to-day operations of the newspaper. He or she often makes the calls about where stories are placed and how much space they are given. Depending on the size of the paper, he or she may be the last person to edit a story before it goes to the copy editor and often reads and edits all the stories on the front page. If there is a big mistake in the day's paper, you might want to contact this person.Assistant Managing Editor: Generally only larger newspapers have this position. He or she is usually in charge or a specific area of the paper, such as Assistant Managing Editor for News or Business or Sports, and is usually responsible the day-to-day operations of that area, editing the stories from it and deciding lengths and placement.Editorial Page Editor: Usually this is the person you write or call if you are interested in writing an Op/Ed since that space in the paper usually falls on the editorial page. He or she may also be the person to whom you write a "letter to the editor" though check the editorial page of your newspaper for specifics. If there is an error in an editorial or an Op/Ed column this editor should be the first person you try to contact.Desk Editor: This person oversees the reporters on his or her specific "desk," such as Metro, Business, Features and Sports, and is usually the first editor to handle their stories. This is usually the first person to call with specific problems you have with a story in that day's paper.Copy Editor: These people, there are several at every paper, go through each and every story every day looking to correct spelling and grammar problems. They also usually trim stories so that they fit in the space the editors have given them for the day. Copy editors also write headlines and work to ensure the accuracy, clarity and fairness of the newspaper.Photo Editor: This person is charge of the photos in the newspaper. He or she chooses the pictures for the stories (or potential pictures that other editors then choose from) and argues for space for them. Depending on who makes the final decision for what pictures run, this person may be the person to contact with photo questions or concerns.On-Line Editor: If you have a specific issue with the newspaper's website (not its print edition), this is the person you will probably want to contact. He or she is in charge of the overall web content of the newspaper.Communications Director: In charge of publicizing the newspaper and interacting with the public, he or she may be a good person to talk to if you want a reporter or editor to come speak with a class or a group.Circulation Manager: This is the person to speak with if you have had trouble getting your paper delivered. [top]Who’s Who in a TV Newsroom There are variety ways to contact a TV newsroom and, depending on what you’re trying to accomplish, some are more effective than others. Above all it helps to understand how a local television station operates so you know whom to contact. A misplaced phone call can mean at the very least a delay in getting your thoughts across.Below a look at who does what at your average TV station and newsroom:General Manager or Station Manager: This person is in charge of the station and the several departments that comprise it, usually Sales, Traffic, Engineering/Operations, Accounting, Creative Services, and News. If you have large overall concerns with the news you see day in and day out or feel it is out of touch with the community this may be the person to call. This is also a person of last resort if other calls get no action. Many stations also have specific people in charge of Programming, Promotion and Community Affairs.Sales Manager: This person heads up the Sales Department, which sells commercial time. This is the person to speak with if you wish to buy time to air an advertisement.Creative Services: Department: They write, shoot and edit commercials for local businesses, and the Traffic department assigns the ‘spots’ in the dozens of commercial breaks scheduled throughout the day.Engineering/Operations: Department: They keep the station on the air, operating and maintaining the studio broadcast equipment, electronic newsgathering gear, transmitters, satellite links, microwave trucks and computers.Head of Programming: This person is in charge of syndicated programming the stations rents or purchases, as well as local movies it may air. This may be a good person to call with concerns about the content of a film or program you found objectionable.Promotion Department: They make the ‘promos’ that appear on the station and the ads that appear in newspapers and magazines. They may also be in charge of scheduling the ‘personal appearances’ of on-air personalities and may be the people to contact if you want and anchor or reporter to speak with or meet with a group.Community Affairs Director: This person is the station’s designated representative to community organizations. He or she is usually in charge of the community calendars and public service announcements the station runs.News Director: This person manages the news department and is most often aided by an Assistant News Director. This is again a person to contact with large issues you have with a station’s newscasts in general.Executive Producer: Many stations have this person to supervise the overall “look” of the broadcasts Newscasts are usually divided into half hours, each supervised by a producer who chooses the stories that will air and the order in which they’ll be presented. During the broadcast, the producer is in the control room to coordinate the engineering, production and editorial components of the show.The size of the news staff usually reflects the size of the community, the number newscasts the station airs each day and the management’s commitment to quality. Stations in the largest markets may have 120-person newsrooms while stations in smaller communities are more likely to have 30 to 50 reporters, producers, photographers, and editors.Although Reporters and Anchors are the newsroom’s most visible staff members, they are sometimes the most difficult to reach, especially on short notice. That’s because they’re often away from their desks. Reporters spend most of their working day “on the street” shooting tape and conducting interviews. Anchors are often in the studio, an edit booth or a meeting. So unless you know a reporter’s cell phone number, or they know what you’re calling about, don’t be surprised if it takes them a day or two to return your phone message.Still, if you want to reach a reporter or anchor don’t be afraid to just pick up the phone or write them an e-mail message. The station’s telephone number should be in the phone book. If you get stuck in voice mail, try the extension for the newsroom. Most TV stations now have a Web site and many allow you to send e-mails directly to reporters, anchors, newsroom managers and the assignment desk. Many station web sites also have e-mail forms on which you can offer story ideas, suggestions or criticisms.E-mail, press releases and letters to the newsroom will usually be read first by someone at the Assignment Desk, which collects story ideas and coordinates the station’s newsgathering. Once or twice each day, newsroom personnel have a meeting in which ideas are offered, stories chosen and assignments made.TV newsrooms are always looking for good story ideas, but reaching the right person can sometimes be difficult. How and when you do it can make a difference, especially on a busy news day. What kinds of stories are they looking for? Like all news organizations, TV newsrooms are looking for stories that are interesting or important. Another important factor, however, is that broadcast journalists look for stories that can be told using pictures and sound. [top]