The news of the day is the last thing to be inserted into a newspaper. The paid advertisements are first, followed by the standing features, columns and departments. The space left over is called the “news hole.” Late-breaking developments from around the world change the shape of the news hole very quickly. As a result, your story could be incorporated into a larger story, edited down to a few short sentences or be “spiked” or cut altogether – it all depends on what else is going on that day.
To minimize the risk that your story or comments could be lost, use the same brevity that you use when talking with the electronic media. Likewise, make sure your story is relevant, timely and genuinely newsworthy.
In other words, consider what is noteworthy about your issue: is it the first time something happened, have you discovered a new trend, does your news impact an upcoming political decision, or is your story one of human interest? Avoid rehashing a story that has already been reported on unless you have a new twist or something to add to it.
