engaging with the media - migrant voice
TRANSCRIPT
-
8/6/2019 Engaging with the Media - Migrant Voice
1/36
Engaging with the Media
At MRCF
Digital Activistm course26th of July, 2011
-
8/6/2019 Engaging with the Media - Migrant Voice
2/36
Facilitated by
Nazek Ramadan
Anne Stoltenberg
Migrant Voice
-
8/6/2019 Engaging with the Media - Migrant Voice
3/36
Engaging with the media
This session aims to strengthen participantsunderstanding of how to engage effectively
with the media as individuals or asorganisations, and specifically how to pitchyour story to the media and how to issue a
press release.
-
8/6/2019 Engaging with the Media - Migrant Voice
4/36
Migrant Voice
Migrant Voice is a migrant led organisationset up to strengthen the voice of migrantsin the media and public domain by
increasing their skills and confidence indeveloping and conveying key messagesabout their realities to promote a more
balanced media coverage and publicdebate on migration
-
8/6/2019 Engaging with the Media - Migrant Voice
5/36
Why engage with the media?
Because if you dont speak up, others will
speak for you (this could be the Sun
Newspaper, the Mail, etc.)
Just like elections, if you do not vote,
others will decide for you
-
8/6/2019 Engaging with the Media - Migrant Voice
6/36
Why engage with the media?
Having a voice participation
Democracy citizenshipIntegration being part of thecommunity
-
8/6/2019 Engaging with the Media - Migrant Voice
7/36
Why engage with the media?
Because people will listen
-
8/6/2019 Engaging with the Media - Migrant Voice
8/36
Why engage with the media?
Why you?
Because it is your issue, if you do not
care, why should others do?
Because if it is coming directly from you, itis genuine, real, effective
-
8/6/2019 Engaging with the Media - Migrant Voice
9/36
-
8/6/2019 Engaging with the Media - Migrant Voice
10/36
Understanding the media
Editorial meetings and decisions
Editorial line
Change in the culture of journalism
Last minute changes in priorities
-
8/6/2019 Engaging with the Media - Migrant Voice
11/36
Understanding the media
Are journalists alien species?
Journalists are not necessarily horriblepeople, who hate migrants
Some differences between UK press andmedia in some other countries
Journalists will listen to you; they need
your stories and spokespeople There is a real person behind the
microphone/pen.
-
8/6/2019 Engaging with the Media - Migrant Voice
12/36
What is the media/journalist after?
Sensational stories (shocking, funny,scandals, etc.)
Human stories
Paper-selling headlines
Exclusive news/stories
-
8/6/2019 Engaging with the Media - Migrant Voice
13/36
The journalist:
Wants news
Is under pressure
Has deadlines
Wants an angle that will appeal to his/herreadership
Has other sources of information
Dont tell him/her how to write the story
-
8/6/2019 Engaging with the Media - Migrant Voice
14/36
-
8/6/2019 Engaging with the Media - Migrant Voice
15/36
Contacting the media
Make one person in your organisationresponsible for dealing with the media
Draw up a database of all media contacts
Be pro-active about forming relationshipswith key journalists
Remember to focus on local media
It is fine to approach more than onemedia contact for the same story, but youshould let them know.
-
8/6/2019 Engaging with the Media - Migrant Voice
16/36
Contacting the media
Tips from a journalist
-
8/6/2019 Engaging with the Media - Migrant Voice
17/36
Re-active work
Most newspapers, radio and TV newsprogrammes have a forward planning desk.
Phone up as many forward planning teams asyou can, introduce yourself and providecontact details such as a mobile so that if astory about migrants breaks they can callyou or your organisation for a comment.
-
8/6/2019 Engaging with the Media - Migrant Voice
18/36
Re-active work
If a journalist contacts you to react to abreaking story or you contact a newsdesk to offer a reaction, make sure that
you have a clear, concise and simplecomment ready. A journalist working flatout on a breaking story won't have time
to listen to a long, rambling speech.
-
8/6/2019 Engaging with the Media - Migrant Voice
19/36
Pro-active work
Contact forward planning desks and suggeststory ideas
Suggest interesting stories such as an unusual
human interest story, a scandal where peoplein authority have treated migrants badly
Offer an insight into a different world. Manyjournalists lead narrow, privileged lives and
may have little or no knowledge of /or accessto the life of migrants. You can offer this
access.
-
8/6/2019 Engaging with the Media - Migrant Voice
20/36
Pro-active work
Pitch any story which counters thestereotypes about migrants, which areconstantly recycled by some sections of the
media Produce reports/pieces of research with
new findings about migrants which can bepresented to the media. It's important tooffer case studies with such a report,preferably migrants who are prepared to beidentified.
-
8/6/2019 Engaging with the Media - Migrant Voice
21/36
Pro-active work
Remember that a comment from amigrant is worth much more to a
journalist than a comment from an
organisation that works on behalf ofmigrants.
-
8/6/2019 Engaging with the Media - Migrant Voice
22/36
-
8/6/2019 Engaging with the Media - Migrant Voice
23/36
-
8/6/2019 Engaging with the Media - Migrant Voice
24/36
Pitching your story
It is the idea that counts
What makes a good idea?
Is it new?
Is it important?
Is it interesting to YOU?
Is it news, feature or comments?
-
8/6/2019 Engaging with the Media - Migrant Voice
25/36
How to pitch your story?
Once you know the answers to these
questions, select the most appropriateeditor/news-desk and email them:
-
8/6/2019 Engaging with the Media - Migrant Voice
26/36
How to pitch your story?
Mark the subject of your email with a simpledescription of the idea
Tell the editor who you are
Explain your ideas as quickly and simply aspossible
Describe what sort of article it might
become, and who the writer should speak to Include your contact details, with a phone
number that you can be reached on quickly
Offer photo/filming opportunities
-
8/6/2019 Engaging with the Media - Migrant Voice
27/36
Small group Exercise
Think of a story that you would like to seepublished and prepare your pitch, addressingthe points raised in this session, including:
What is the story about? Why is of interest to the particular media
chosen?
Is it news, feature, comment? What are you offering (spokespeople,
research, contact details)
Remember: keep it simple, clear, concise
-
8/6/2019 Engaging with the Media - Migrant Voice
28/36
-
8/6/2019 Engaging with the Media - Migrant Voice
29/36
Writing a press release
Top tips: Determine whether you really need a press
releaseif you do, then:
Make sure your logo in on the press release,
Include todays date and date you want your
press-release issued Make sure you have a brief attention-
grabbing title
-
8/6/2019 Engaging with the Media - Migrant Voice
30/36
Writing a press release
The first sentence should be a summaryof the story
Get your key points across to catch
journalists attention Answer who, what, when, why and how
Write as if you are speaking to the
readers/viewers/listeners Check your target media for appropriate
style
-
8/6/2019 Engaging with the Media - Migrant Voice
31/36
Writing a press release
Illustrate your story with quotes Highlight what is: NEW, UNIQUE,
SPECIAL, TIMELY about your story
Finish with practical details and notes toeditors
Add a photo or illustration to catch the
journalists eye
-
8/6/2019 Engaging with the Media - Migrant Voice
32/36
Group exercise
You are planning to:Launch a campaign/Have an event/launch areport.
Write a press release for the launch ofyour new campaign/event/etc., addressing
a particular media and using the tips fromthe session.
-
8/6/2019 Engaging with the Media - Migrant Voice
33/36
-
8/6/2019 Engaging with the Media - Migrant Voice
34/36
Where else can I go?
Migrant Voice Institute for Race Relations
Migrants Rights Network
Refugee Council
Migrant and Refugee Communities Forum
Asylum Aid
Amnesty International
The Media Trust
http://www.themediatrust.org/http://www.themediatrust.org/http://www.themediatrust.org/http://www.themediatrust.org/http://www.themediatrust.org/http://www.themediatrust.org/http://www.themediatrust.org/http://www.themediatrust.org/http://www.themediatrust.org/http://www.themediatrust.org/http://www.themediatrust.org/http://www.themediatrust.org/http://www.themediatrust.org/http://www.themediatrust.org/http://www.themediatrust.org/http://www.themediatrust.org/http://www.themediatrust.org/http://www.themediatrust.org/http://www.themediatrust.org/http://www.themediatrust.org/http://www.themediatrust.org/http://www.themediatrust.org/http://www.themediatrust.org/http://www.themediatrust.org/ -
8/6/2019 Engaging with the Media - Migrant Voice
35/36
Where can I get inspiration?
Migrant Voice MRCF
RAMFEL
FOMACS (Ireland)
Menedek (Hungary)
Mugak (Spain)
The Opportunity Agenda (USA)
Welcoming America (USA)
-
8/6/2019 Engaging with the Media - Migrant Voice
36/36
Thank You
www.migrantvoice.org
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]