Public Service Information

 

Public Service Announcements (PSA)

Public service announcements, or PSAs, are 10- to 60-second notices that radio and TV stations are required by the Federal Communications Commission to air in order to balance the effect of paid advertisements and to present balanced coverage of issues. They are free to nonprofit community groups. Sample PSAs

The four standard lengths for a PSA are 10 seconds (25 to 30 words), 20 seconds (45 to 50 words), 30 seconds (60 to 75 words), and 60 seconds (120 to 150 words).

Besides issue-oriented PSAs such as these, radio and TV stations will air announcements of meetings or events on a “community calendar.” This is an excellent way to publicize your group’s event.

Send several copies of your PSA with a typed, double-spaced cover letter to the public service director of the station. Explain the purpose of your organization and your activities, and state why the station should use the PSA.

On the top left side of the page, type the beginning date (the first day the PSA should be read), the kill date (the last day you want it read), and the length of the announcement in seconds and in words.

Find out the deadline for PSAs—it may be two or three weeks in advance. Make a follow-up call to be sure the station received it. Some stations may want to see proof that you’re actually nonprofit, so be prepared to produce your paperwork if your group is tax-exempt.

Flyers and Other Downloads

"It's Too Hot!" for pets in cars preview | download pdf

Sample "Pet Resume" download pdf

Model Guidelines for keeping pets in multi-unit housing download pdf