FCM conducted media education events with Communiversity courses. Communiversity was a “free-university” institution set up by the University of Missouri, Kansas City where people from around the area could sponsor courses as citizen-faculty. In 2007, FCM set up a Communiversity course on how citizens could work with the media to further their goals. The course outline is below.
I. Introduction – importance of knowing how to deal with
the media.
Method – audience participation.
II. What’s available to us? Media resources you can use.
Method – Handout, lecture.
III. Who do you contact to get media?
Method – Lecture, handout.
IV. Setting media planning priorities
Method – Lecture, discussion
V. What tools do you need?
Method – Lecture, discussion, handout.
VI. Tools of the trade. How to prepare and use the tools.
Method – handouts, lecture.
A. Fact sheet
B. Media release
C. Public service announcement
D. Media list
E. Bios
F. Sample question list
G. Other informational materials
H. Correspondence
VI. Know the nature of the medium you are using
Method – Group discussion, lecture, handouts
VII. Preparing for a media interview
Method – Question and answer, lecture, handouts
B. Presenting yourself to the media
A. Tips for public speaking
VIII. Doing the interview
Method – Lecture, discussion, handout.
IX. Being realistic about the media
Method – Discussion, handout
X. Dealing with media assertively in time of crisis
Method – Discussion, audience participation
XI. Some ideas for getting media attention and publicity
Method – Handout, audience participation XII. Question and answer session