Some sample Press Releases
From AICbackground
Here are some sample press releases that show some of the qualities (a strong point-of-view, clear voice, use of quotes) that we look for in a press release:
Israel: International Criminals
Submitted by Marwan Barghouti of Palestinian Fatah, on Tuesday, April 11, 2006 at 08:47:18 EST
In a recent press release, the leaders of the Fatah party called for world leaders to take action in response to Israel’s acceptable and repeated violations of international law. They spoke specifically about the current imprisonment of their foreign minister Marwan Barghouti. “We are especially concerned with the state of affairs regarding Marwan and Israel. It seems as though Israel is in direct violation of several decrees set forth in the Oslo accords they so adamantly support in their illegal arrest of Marwan. It is due to these violations we are considering Marwan a political hostage. This is clearly an Israeli plot to undermine the efforts of the Palestinians towards self-sufficiency and peace.” Every member of the Palestinian Authority expressed the desire for members of the international community to take action against Israel for their violations. “We believe the time has come for the major powers in this conflict to stop ignoring Israel’s recurrent disregard of the rules. It seems as though the focus has been turned away from Israel’s terrorist activities and violations of laws to which they agreed. The Palestinians as a whole urge the rest of the world to look away no longer and take stern action against Israel’s blatant disregard for international law.”
Why Not an Energy Program for Iran?
Submitted by Seyyed Ali Khamenei of Iran , on Tuesday, March 21, 2006 at 02:03:50 EST
Lately, many countries are suspicious of Iran as the head country in terrorist activities. With the newly elected Hamas party, Iran’s goals are being strengthened and unified. Many countries, however, are opposed to various ideas that Iran has proposed in the pursuit of peace and stability. Iran is currently involved in a nuclear program that is eager to help Iran’s energy production. Iran wants to experiment using uranium to help create better opportunities for Iranian resourcefulness. This issue is controversial because other non-trusting countries believe that Iran, due to previous association with terrorist groups, will use this as an excuse for weapons rather than peace. Iran signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) along with the United States, Russian Federation, United Kingdom, France, and China, and said its interest in nuclear technology, including enrichment, was for civilian purposes only (a right guaranteed under the treaty). Nevertheless, the CIA and many other western countries suspect that this may be a cover for a nuclear weapons program, claiming that Iran has little need to develop nuclear power domestically and that it has consistently chosen nuclear options, which were dual-use technology rather than those that could only be used for power generation. “The people of Iran will not accept coercion and unjust decisions by international organizations,” President Mahmoud Ahmadi-nejad was quoted as saying by Iranian television during a visit to Iran’s western province of Lorestan. “Enemies cannot force the Iranian people to relinquish their rights.” There are currently eight countries that either possess or have tested nuclear weapons, Iran not being one of them. These other countries include: United States, Peoples Republic of China, France, Britain, Russia, India, Israel, and Pakistan. Iran is only “suspected” to have connections with nuclear weapons. The rights of Iranians are greatly at stake here, for only a “suspicion.” These other countries with more impact on the world are being cleared because of their stance in political reasons, while Iran is simply just ignored Although Iran is currently not open to all inspections, there is no reason to believe this program was created in vain or with ulterior motives. Iran merely wants to get started and plant a firm foundation in their efforts before inspections would be profitable. Iran is requesting support for their nuclear energy program, not to scare the public with rumors of terrorism, but to help the people of Iran intelligently use their own resources.
Israel Condemns Current Hostage Situation and Terrorism
Submitted by Ehud Olmert of Israeli Center, on Monday, April 10, 2006 at 09:04:00 EST
In response to the recent acts of terrorism on the Israelis, including the capture and detaining of 12 members of the Israeli Protection Forces as well as 5 Israeli citizens, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said in a press statement:
“It is evident that a group of anonymous terrorists, better yet, cowards, have chosen to attempt to shake the foundations of peace which are forming in the Middle East by vile and spineless acts of violence. If said terrorists believe that this recent bout of hostility will bring Israel to its knees in submission, they are gravely mistaken. We will not submit and enter into any form of discussion with an underhanded group of villains with a complete and utter disregard for the fragility and importance of the peace discussions which have blossomed in the Middle East. Negotiations for the release of Palestinian Foreign Minister Marwan Barghouti, a man also rife with violence towards Israel, will not be discussed with this terrorist group – Israel cannot and will not enter into discussion with those who so blatantly express their disregard for peaceful discussion. We will be praying for the safety and security of the hostages, and assure them that, should they be harmed in any way, we will take the proper reciprocating measures to ensure that these terrorists truly understand what violence and justice are. We are not afraid to pay back the terrorists tenfold for any violence they may inflict on our people.”
This concluded the press statement by the Prime Minister of Israel.
