This definitive text at several leading Universities and Colleges is journalism in reverse. It demystifies public affairs, starting with examining your news value and working through media lists, press releases, news conferences and keeping reporters coming back for more.

It uses the proven SOCKO system for message generation, and takes you through the media venues you may encounter (including when things go wrong):

* sit downs

* stand ups

* scrums

* double-enders

* talk shows

Diagrams help you through setting up a media work centre, public affairs room and keeping on top of breaking news. Pictures from inside the major networks and a glossary of media terms get to the details of media skills.