Media Training
Why Media Trainings:
In today’s world, where the average person is bombarded with 4,000 to 10,000 messages daily through various media channels, crafting a powerful message is crucial. This media training program equips participants with the skills to navigate the media landscape effectively. It covers best practices in media understanding, message development, interview preparation, anxiety management, and impactful communication vis-a-vis narrative-power building.
Methodology:
The training is structured into three segments: firstly, it provides insights into the news and political landscape; secondly, it focuses on a methodology for message development, including practice in writing; and third, it offers practical experience through real-time interviews and feedback.
At its core, this training is a tool for building narrative power—the ability to alter societal norms, rules, and mindsets. As outlined by Dorian Warren and Katherine Ollenburger from Community Change, this involves developing the skills to set agendas, create relevance, ensure persistence, and establish new worldviews in the political and public arenas.
Building Narrative Power:
To abolish and replace the norms that allow the status quo of power and privilege to prevail, we must go beyond disrupting oppression to delegitimizing it.
We can do this by being disciplined spokespeople and investing in political persuasion with strong, values-led arguments toward political acceptance. When we do that, we build narrative power.
Emotional Intelligence:
Recognizing that there is no universal method for media and spokesperson training, the program is tailored to individual needs, considering each person's experience and identity.
It emphasizes emotional intelligence, encouraging participants to understand and navigate their feelings, thoughts, and experiences as they engage with the media. This aspect also involves understanding biases and unique individual and community characteristics.
Embodiment:
Beyond theoretical understanding, the training stresses the importance of embodying communication strategies through rehearsal. It likens spoke sponsorship to a performance, where success depends on thorough preparation and practice.
The aim is to strengthen participants' abilities to effectively convey their messages and theories of change to their audiences.
"A great spokesperson is not someone who memorizes scripts but someone who is present, prepared, and principled. Through practice, reflection, and continuous adaptation, spokespeople can evolve into powerful communicators who not only deliver a message—but alter the narrative conditions." - S. Matthews