How Government & Political Agencies Use Press Releases

 

 

Your voters are scrolling through social media on their phones. A local reporter is deciding which stories to cover this week. A community organisation is looking for politicians to speak at its next event. How do you reach all these audiences with your message? A well-crafted political press release could be the answer.

What Is a Political Press Release?

A political press release is an official statement from a candidate, campaign, political party or political action committee (PAC) that announces newsworthy information to the media and public. It helps politicians share their views, respond to current events and highlight campaign activities. Political press releases follow the same format as others but focus on topics relevant to voters such as policy positions, endorsements and campaign updates.

What Is a Government Press Release?

A government press release is an official statement to the media and the public from a government agency, department or elected official. These releases might announce new policies, provide updates on public services or inform citizens about changes that affect their community. While government press releases are similar to political ones in format and structure, they tend to be more focused on providing public service information rather than promoting a political figure or campaign.

Top Reasons Political and Government Agencies Use Press Releases

Understanding why to send a press release helps you make the most of this powerful communication tool. Let's look at the top reasons organisations send government or political press releases.

New Legislation and Policy Updates

Legislation- and policy-related government press releases explain new laws, regulations or procedures that affect constituents' daily lives. Be sure to clearly state what's changing, when changes take effect and what actions people need to take in response, if any. Include a brief explanation of the problem being solved and quotes from key officials about the community benefits, along with links to resources for those who need more details.

Promoting Events

Event press releases help draw crowds and garner media coverage for press conferences, town halls, debates and community appearances. Your release should include all essential details—date, time, location and purpose—while also explaining why the event matters. Government press releases can similarly promote public hearings, community feedback sessions and other civic engagement opportunities.

Receiving a Grant

A successful grant application is always something government press releases should celebrate. Grant announcement press releases allow state and local government agencies to share good news with the community. Your release should specify the dollar amount, talk about the selection process and give examples of how the funds will benefit residents—for example through road improvements, expanded services or improved public safety. Include quotes from both your agency director and the funding organisation to add credibility.

Releasing Data, Studies and Reports

Data-focused press releases share research findings, fact sheets, budget information, economic reports or other evidence that supports your policy positions. They translate complex information into clear takeaways that journalists and citizens can understand and use. This is a common type of government press release, often used to share public health statistics, economic indicators and program evaluation results.

Managing Crises

Crisis management press releases address controversies, update the public on national security, respond to attacks on a candidate or provide critical information during emergencies like natural disasters. These releases should be timely, transparent and focused on what you're doing to address the situation. Local government agencies often use press releases during weather emergencies, public health incidents or infrastructure failures to keep citizens informed about safety measures and available resources.

Announcing Public Services

Government press releases often inform citizens about new programs, resources or facilities in their communities. They should clearly explain what the new service is, who will benefit from it and how to access it, with specific details like locations, hours and eligibility requirements. For example, a county health department might issue a press release about a new mobile vaccination clinic program, detailing the neighborhoods it will visit and what specific services it will provide.

Infrastructure Projects

Public service announcement releases can also inform citizens about road closures, facility maintenance, schedule changes and other disruptions to government services. These practical releases should include specific dates, alternate routes or services and contact information for questions. Transportation departments, parks services and utility agencies rely on these news releases to minimise inconvenience during infrastructure work.

How to Distribute Government and Political Press Releases

Writing and distributing an effective press release requires attention to detail and an understanding of what journalists need to cover your story. Follow these best practices to create press releases that get noticed and achieve your communication goals. 

Use AP Style and Format

Political and government press releases receive extra scrutiny, so following Associated Press (AP) style gives your press release a professional appearance and helps maintain your credibility. Start with a compelling headline, include the dateline and location and follow the inverted pyramid style, which means structuring the content with the most important information (who, what, when, where, why and how) first, followed by less critical information.

Keep It Brief

Keeping your political press releases brief shows that you respect journalists' time and increases the chances your full message will be read and used. Political and government topics can be complex, but your release should distill the information into 400-500 words focused on one clear announcement or statement. Use short paragraphs, bullet points for lists and strong quotes that journalists can pull directly into news stories.

Optimise for SEO and Digital Channels

Search-engine-optimised press releases help citizens and journalists find your information when searching online for related topics. Include relevant keywords naturally throughout your release, especially in the headline, first paragraph and quotes. Share your release on social media with eye-catching graphics, tagging relevant accounts and using hashtags that connect to trending topics in political news or government affairs.

Post on Your Website

Creating a dedicated newsroom or content hub on your website gives journalists and citizens a resource for all your official statements. Your website can also host press kits and media kits, providing journalists with photos, videos and infographics that enhance your message. Just make sure these pages are accessible, mobile-friendly and organised chronologically or by topic for easy navigation.

Find Your Target Audience

Strategic media placement and press release distribution ensure your message reaches the most relevant audiences, whether local, regional or national. Political campaigns for city council might focus on local media and newspapers, while congressional or presidential campaigns need state-wide and national reach. Likewise, federal government agencies may need broad distribution for major announcements, while local agencies need targeted reach for community-specific information.

Time It Right

Strategic timing can significantly impact the coverage and effectiveness of political press releases. Distribute major campaign announcements early in the week when news cycles are less crowded, and avoid competing with holidays and major events. Government agencies should consider timing, too—for example, announcing road closures well in advance of construction or issuing weather emergency updates at consistent, predictable times.

Maximise Press Release Impact for Political Campaigns

Political and government press releases remain one of the most effective tools for PR professionals in these fields, but you need the right distribution strategy. With PR Newswire, you can reach journalists across our extensive network of local, regional and national media, and target specific geographic areas or journalist beats.

Of course, political press releases are just one part of a comprehensive strategy that includes social media, direct voter outreach and media relations. PR Newswire's additional services, including multimedia distribution, social sharing tools and detailed analytics, help you maximise the impact of every release you send. Start sending press releases today to take control of your message and build stronger connections with the media and voters.

FAQs

How can press releases benefit political campaigns?

Press releases enable political campaigns to reach voters through media coverage without paying large advertising costs. They allow candidates to control their message, respond quickly to attacks and promote endorsements that build credibility with voters. Press releases also create a documented history of campaign positions and statements that journalists can reference throughout the election cycle.

How do you get media coverage for a government press release?

You can obtain media coverage by following the proper press release format, writing about a newsworthy topic, targeting the right journalists and timing your announcement strategically. Using a distribution service like PR Newswire will also help your release reach journalists who cover government affairs. 

Can a press release help a political campaign gain public trust?

A press release can help build public trust by providing transparent, accurate information about a candidate's positions, background and campaign activities. Consistent messaging across multiple releases helps voters understand what the candidate stands for. Including verifiable facts, data and authentic quotes shows voters that the campaign values honesty and substance over empty rhetoric. 

Crafting a political or government press release that gets attention starts with choosing an angle that resonates with your audience. Get started finding a timely and interesting topic with our guide on 10 Newsworthy Reasons to Send a Press Release. Keep it handy for whenever you need press release inspiration.

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