Survey reveals regular use of story sourcing services

MORE than three-quarters of journalists have sourced a story idea or comment via a ‘request service’, according to a survey by the providers of one such service.

Says media intelligence company, Gorkana, the survey of national, regional and freelance journalists throughout the UK also found that 97 per cent of users of a request service agreed that using it saved them time. Some three quarters used a request service regularly, with a quarter describing it as indispensible.

The publication of the survey details coincides with the launch of a new streamlined media request service on gorkanapr.com. The new system replaces Gorkana’s daily media request bulletin, which – for example – was read by 6000 consumer PRs, on the tenth of this month.

Says Gorkana: “Journalists using the new system can expect near instant responses and the intelligent targeting functionality will maximise the quality and relevance of the PR information generated. Other features include an online log of previous requests and the ability to time and repeat postings.

“Gorkana’s client base includes the top 50 agencies and top ten brands in the UK, so journalists using Gorkana Media Requests will be reaching the heart of the PR community.”