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Media 101 Understanding the tools for effective communication, building advocacy and policy change. Presentation Outline. Purpose and Role of Media Grantee & Partner Role in Media Relations Media Monitoring Responding to Media Coverage Messaging Documents Intro to Let’s Be Totally Clear.org
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Media 101Understanding the tools for effective communication, building advocacy and policy change
Presentation Outline • Purpose and Role of Media • Grantee & Partner Role in Media Relations • Media Monitoring • Responding to Media Coverage • Messaging Documents • Intro to Let’s Be Totally Clear.org • So What’s Social Media? • Q&A
Purpose and Role of Media • The media can shape public opinion • The media can influence policymakers • Our goal is to generate POSITIVE messages in support of TFL’s work in tobacco prevention & control • Helped pass and defend the Louisiana Smoke-Free Air Act and Act 838
Grantee and Partner Role in Media Relations • Serve as local spokesperson • Build and maintain a local media presence for TPC, including cultivation of relationships with reporters, editors, etc. • Keep informed about local stories, events, and situations that are related to tobacco control • Respond to media when appropriate • Notify TFL staff member of local coverage
Media Monitoring • Monitoring news channels is crucial • Check different news sources throughout the day • Watch the news, read the paper or online version • Scan headlines and Letters to the Editor/Opinion sections • Do quick word searches online • Google Alerts • Subscribe to RSS Feeds
Responding to Media Coverage How should I respond to media? • Letters to the Editor via email or online submission form • Online comments • Follow up calls to reporter • Notify your RC so TFL can respond
Letters to the Editor Why write a Letter to the Editor? Letters to the Editor are perhaps the most direct way to generate media coverage What do they do? • Educate the public and raise awareness • Influence the opinions of the editors, readers, and policy makers • Bring attention to areas of public support
Letters to the Editor When do I respond with a Letter to the Editor? Respond to an editorial, article, or other letter to the editor: • To clarify information in the article and/or add information that may not have been included • To react to negative editorials, unbalanced or biased news stories or unfavorable letters from other readers • To share opinions, recognize civic contributions, or state public support • To acknowledge and show support of individual actions • To draw greater attention to an issue of public importance that may not be receiving much media attention • To state a specific call to action to the public or legislators
Letters to the Editor • Editors often call to verify the writer’s name, title, organization, phone number and the content of the letter: • Anyone who submits a LTE must be familiar with the content of the letter and available to take a media call to verify information. • Review the newspaper’s guidelines for submission. Guidelines are often found: • On the Letters to the Editor page of the paper • On the newspaper’s website
Letter Writing Keys to Success • Respond immediately • Refer to the story you are responding to • Think like a lawyer; argue your case • Write like a pro – and proofread! • K.eep I.t S.hort & S.imple • Localize it • Editorialize it • Include contact info • Place in the body of an email • Take advantage of TFL’s communications technical support
Messaging Documents • Your go to document for messaging • Ensures consistent statewide messaging • National and state specific data • Includes info on tobacco marketing, shs, and tax • CTFLA fact sheets and pt/counterpt
An Intro to www.LetsBeTotallyClear.org Real Louisianans sharing their story on how secondhand smoke has affected them.
What Can I Do on the LBTC Site? • Share your story and upload your photo • Write a Letter to the Editor • Write your Legislator • Join a Coalition • Sign up for the TFL E-Letter • Contact a Regional Coordinator • Forward it to all your contacts!
So What’s Social Media? • A way for human beings to share information online • May not always be trustworthy or accurate • Worthwhile to gauge the conversations and opinions surrounding an issue • Examples: Facebook, Twitter, blogs, etc. • Social Media in Plain English (copy and paste link into browser later)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpIOClX1jPE • We invite you to follow us on Twitter • @BeTotallyClear • We invite you to Become a Fan on Facebook • Lets Be Totally Clear • Stay Healthy! Louisiana