The Science Media Centre's popular and successful Introduction to the News Media sessions invite news journalists, science correspondents and scientists to talk about the realities of the news machine, introduce some basic skills concepts, answer questions and explain just why it is so important for scientists to engage with the news media. All, of course, with an eye to science in the headlines.

The events are kindly sponsored by Elsevier BV and Blackwell Publishing and the sessions have included in the past:

• Simon Pearson, Executive Editor of The Times giving his impression of where scientists now stand with the news media.
• Vivienne Parry, Writer and Broadcaster sharing her top media-training tips.
• A question and answer panel session on the realities of the news media with Jamie Angus, Commissioning Editor for the Today Programme, Jacqui Thornton, Health Editor for The Sun, and David Derbyshire, Science Correspondent for The Daily Telegraph.
• A representative from the Science Media Centre presenting some case studies illustrating how engaging with the news media can impact on the eventual coverage.
• Katrina Nevin-Ridley, Head of Media at the Wellcome Trust , on the press officer's perspective.
• Chris Higgins, Director of the MRC Clinical Sciences Centre, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, speaking about his personal experiences of engaging with the news media and why he feels it is important to do so.

This events are extremely popular, receiving very positive feedback from those involved, and are now an annual fixture in the Science Media Centre's calendar.

Top Tips for Media Work is a leaflet for scientists that introduces the main topics covered in the session, it is available to download from this website and can serve as a useful guide for those embarking on media work for the first time.