The family planning story lends itself to the use of pictures. Whether positive—a counselor helping her client, or a healthy child and mother—or negative—an overcrowded slum or a polluted river—images capture viewers' attention and arouse their emotions.

Getting the family planning story reported on television requires thinking visually. As with radio, television presents information quickly, so the message must be clear, pointed, and easy to understand. Many news media relations specialists, however, make the mistake of sending only printed news releases to television stations. To improve chances of coverage, also send photographs, slides, videotapes, charts and graphs, or ideas for filming possibilities along with the printed news release. Good photographs or graphics are often the main reason that a television station will use a story ((45).

Television talk shows. In some countries television talk shows may offer opportunities to promote family planning. Since television talk shows often try to provoke controversy in order to attract audiences, however, be careful that a particular show is an appropriate forum in which you can air your message clearly and objectively (20, 21).