In today’s media climate, expert spokespeople are in high demand. In addition to detailed knowledge drawn from the speaker's expertise, audiences increasingly expect general opinions on business, legal issues, socioeconomic forces, and government regulations. Ocean science and conservation issues, in particular, often require both complex scientific explanation and placement in a broader context.
More than ever, spokespeople need to be prepared with a clear message and the techniques necessary to deliver them effectively. Recognizing this need, SeaWeb has developed programs to help scientists, resource managers, and other ocean experts become media savvy.
Radio Communications Training
Throughout the Asia Pacific, radio provides access to remote and rural areas, enjoys high patronage across income levels, and actively engages the public interest. Our radio communications trainings employ local radio journalists to help ocean experts capitalize upon this powerful medium. We work with smalls groups to help speakers identify their key points and express them in a compelling manner. In the process, our trainees writes radio scripts on ocean issues, which are produced and aired on local radio stations
To supplement our trainings, SeaWeb has created the “How to Communicate with the Media” guide. The handbook gives advice what to do before, during and after an interview; offers press conference techniques; and provides a media relations checklist. More than a simple list of "what not to do", we give readers a framework for successfully assessing and responding to common media situations.
If you are interested in attending a future training or receiving the handbook, please email us for more information.
Ocean Expert Communications Training
The Ocean Expert Communications Training takes a broad approach to enhancing public awareness about the ocean through working with the media. As with our radio communications workshops, our trainers include local media professionals. Participants use their own research or expertise as the primary material in hands-on learning about story selection and placement, how to access the media, as well as presentation, radio talk show, and interview skills.
Trainings
SeaWeb presented a two-day communications training seminar at the MPA Management Capacity Building Training pilot program in December 2005. The goal of the program is to work towards creating a network of coordinated and resilient MPAs for the region. We worked with 35 MPA managers, staff, and government officials from China, Vitenam, and Cambodia to bolster their willingness and ability to engage the media and the public in this important undertaiking.
We conducted a three-day radio communication training for eight members of ocean conservation and management groups from July 31 - August 2, 2005. Our training team included renowned PNG radio personality, Justin Kili (JK), and Senior Producer with KQED Radio in San Francisco, George Lewinsky. Radio scripts about sea turtles written by the participants were produced and aired on local radio stations FM Central, FM100, NBC, NauFM and YumiFM. Click here to download the agenda (.pdf).
SeaWeb organized a six-day workshop (February 13-18, 2005) for eleven ocean experts that included representatives from the Fijian marine conservation community and three chiefs representing the natural resource owners. South Pacific media celebrity Yaminiasi Gaunavou (YG), teamed up with George Lewinsky, of KQED Radio in San Francisco, to train the participants in effective communication. Click here to download the agenda (.pdf).
In February 2004, Fiji hosted the Pacific Island Regional Ocean Forum (PIROF), where government officials, environmentalists, and media members from more than twenty-one countries gathered to discuss the state of the Pacific Ocean. Attended by the region’s most influential NGOs and decision makers, PIROF is an important summit on ocean affairs. SeaWeb took the opportunity to reach out to this important audience by conducting a panel discussion on enhancing ocean awareness through working with the media.
At the 7th South Pacific Conference For Nature Conservation & Protected Areas in July 2002, SeaWeb led a half-day communications training session. This seminar, entitled “Mainstreaming Nature Conservation through the Media” included tips on what to do before, during and after an interview. The training also delved into press conference techniques as well as providing a media relations checklist.
SeaWeb facilitated a free communications training session at the 9ICRS. Leading science journalists covering ICRS provided their own perspectives on:
- What makes news?
- What can you do to encourage news coverage?
- Elements of a good story.
- Interview do’s and don’ts.
- Using the Internet to communicate.
- What you can and can’t expect from the media.
Presenters included: Photo-journalist Gary Braasch whose work has appeared in LIFE, Smithsonian and Discover, Tan Cheng Li of The Star in Malaysia, Judy Flores a reporter for the Philippines News Agency of the Republic of the Philippines, Caspar Henderson who writes for the Financial Times, New Scientist and BBC Radio, Eddie Koch of Out There Magazine and a correspondent for SA Mail and Guardian, Natasha Loder of the Economist, Lina Sagaral Reyes of the Philippine Daily Inquirer, the Mindanao Gold Star and the Women’s Features Services, Mark Schrope who writes for Nature, New Scientist and Discovery.com, and Sarah Simpson, a writer and editor for Scientific American.
|
