Engaging with the Media - Migrant Voice

8/6/2019 Engaging with the Media - Migrant Voice

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Engaging with the Media

At MRCF

Digital Activistm course26th of July, 2011


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Facilitated by

Nazek Ramadan

Anne Stoltenberg

Migrant Voice


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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.


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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


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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


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Having a voice participation

Democracy citizenshipIntegration being part of thecommunity


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Because people will listen


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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


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Understanding the media

Editorial meetings and decisions

Editorial line

Change in the culture of journalism

Last minute changes in priorities


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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.


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What is the media/journalist after?

Sensational stories (shocking, funny,scandals, etc.)

Human stories

Paper-selling headlines

Exclusive news/stories


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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


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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.


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Contacting the media

Tips from a journalist


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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.


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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.


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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.


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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.


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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.


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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?


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How to pitch your story?

Once you know the answers to these

questions, select the most appropriateeditor/news-desk and email them:


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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


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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


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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


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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


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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


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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.


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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/


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Where can I get inspiration?

Migrant Voice MRCF

RAMFEL

FOMACS (Ireland)

Menedek (Hungary)

Mugak (Spain)

The Opportunity Agenda (USA)

Welcoming America (USA)


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Thank You

[email protected]

www.migrantvoice.org
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]

Documents

Engaging with the Media - Migrant Voice