Sometimes, just having your case highlighted in the local press is enough to create national interest. However, to approach the national media yourself, you need to think about the most effective way of contacting them.
Contacting journalists
Contact details for newspapers are printed in each issue. Radio and television stations can be found in the phone book and on the internet, and Media UK provides a useful online directory. There are also very useful books such as the 'Guardian Media Guide'.
You can contact newspaper, television and radio journalists directly. This might be successful if you can find a journalist who is particularly interested in your story.
Some newspaper journalists print their email address at the end of stories. But if you are having difficulty contacting a particular journalist, ask to be put through to the news desk.
Using news wires
Often journalists take their stories off the news wires which are put together by press agencies like The Press Association and Reuters. Contact details and information about sending press releases are available on their websites.
Personal contact
There is no substitute for meeting someone face-to-face. You may be able to turn a seasoned hack into a sympathetic ally! Most national media organisations have regional offices, so you might be able to make contacts in your local area.