The mainstream media consist of outlets that cover a larger territory than your own neighbourhood. For instance, your city's daily newspaper would be a mainstream media outlet. So would your local television and radio stations. Mainstream media outlets can also be national and even international.

Accessing mainstream media outlets is a process that takes plenty of persistence. The larger a media outlet is, the more difficult it is to get its attention. But with some planning and determination, you can get it to notice you.

1. Get to know your local media. Read your local newspapers and watch/listen to local news broadcasts. Get to know which stations and newspapers report on the issues you want to draw attention to - these outlets may be more willing to listen to you. Some media outlets even have young people on their editorial boards, or a youth advisory council to address coverage of youth-related issues.

2. Get to know the journalists who report on the issues you're interested in. Most reporters are assigned to beats, so know which ones to contact for youth issues. Don't be intimidated when calling reporters - remember, they're always on the lookout for story ideas.

3. Identify yourself and your organization or school. When you call a reporter, give the information he/she needs to know about you as a source: your name, your organization, your school, your position on issues. Give some background on yourself and your group, as well as information about your current activities.

4. If you have a potential slant in mind, mention it. As a young person, you may be able to offer a youth perspective on a current news story. For example, if a reporter has covered a youth-related topic but has not actually interviewed any young people, you could provide the missing voice for that story.

5. Be patient. Building a media presence takes time. The initial contact, perhaps a 10-minute phone call - might not result in a story about your project the next day. But once reporters and editors know you and your organization, they'll be more likely to approach you in the future.