Understanding the Media
Group - Half Day Course
Course Description
This course explains how and why the media operate the way they do, and highlights some of the differences between the various outlets - television, print, radio and Internet. A section deals with journalists - who they are, how they see their role, what they do, and how to handle them when they try to beat the system to get information.
This course can be tailored for a group of any size. It's often conducted for whole departments.
Who Will Benefit?
Anyone who might have any contact with journalists, or who has to assist with an organisation's media response, or prepare material for use in the media. It is particularly useful for those who have a role to play in processing phone calls from the media in crisis situations.
It is also popular with those who frame an organisation's policy where the media are involved.
Course Outline
- What drives the media and the pressures journalists face to 'come up with the goods'.
- How the media go about getting and structuring a story.
- What the media want from you.
- How you can control developments when dealing with the media.
- Demonstrations of media calls, and interviews.
- Practical work in avoiding media 'traps'.
- How to draft a media release.
The session usually finishes with questions from the group.