Which statement best distinguishes a press release from a news advisory?

• A. A press release is a formal story intended for publication; a news advisory calls media to cover an event with essential facts.
• B. A press release is informal notes for internal use; a news advisory is a paid advertisement.
• C. A press release is only about products; a news advisory only about events.
• D. A press release is a rumor; a news advisory is a rumor corrected.

Answer: (A)

Difference in purpose and audience: a press release is a formal story written for publication in media outlets, with a headline, lead, quotes, background, and a boilerplate. It aims to inform journalists and persuade them to publish a story about the company, product, or news item. A news advisory is a brief notice that invites media to cover a specific event and provides essential details—what, when, where, who, and how to RSVP or contact for more information. It focuses on enabling coverage rather than presenting a finished narrative.

In practice, press releases are the narrative pieces that media can turn into articles, while news advisories function as invitations that give journalists the basics they need to decide whether to attend or cover an event. This explains why the first option best captures the distinction. The other statements mischaracterize either the nature or purpose of these materials (for example, treating press releases as informal internal notes or news advisories as paid ads), which isn’t accurate.