[NLA] How to Work Effectively with the Media

[John Guffey]

Dear Colleagues,

Responding to David's message on use of the media:

In late November Tom Sticht wrote to the list with a very timely discussion
of looming budget cuts for education and job training programs.  Tom
presented a good argument for investing more in adult literacy education
and his words became the core of a letter which I wrote to the editor of
the Navajo Times, distributed throughout the Navajo Nation.  The letter was
published and adult education programs in the region received favorable
media attention. Without Tom's material my letter wouldn't have happened.  

One letter to the editor just scratches the surface.  Engaging the media
more is an important concern.  I know that we aren't pro-active enough with
the media in this area.  Further discussion on the NLA list could provide
needed encouragement and inspiration to use all aspects of this valuable
tool more frequently and effectively in our work.  

John Guffey
University of New Mexico-Gallup    


At 02:16 PM 12/26/01 -0500, you wrote:
>NLA Colleagues,
>
>In our recent campaign to restore Massachusetts public adult education
>and literacy  funding I have been the convener of the Media Committee.
>This is an area in which I have little experience but because of the
>expertise of other committee members, and tremendous energy and
>determination, we have been able to get a lot of coverage in newspapers
>and on radio and TV.  It was on-the-job learning for some of us, and an
>opportunity to use well-honed skills and knowledge for others.  We found
>
>that there are practitioners in our field who have worked -- or are
>working -- as reporters, script writers and TV producers, and who have
>had other roles in the media.  These folks have been enormously helpful
>in guiding us in our media awareness efforts
>
>Perhaps there are also people with media expertise on the NLA list.
>
>I would like to begin a discussion here about adult literacy education
>and the media. I hope we can hear from everyone who has worked on
>getting attention to adult literacy in the media, in the U.S. as well as
>in
>other countries.  By media I mean primarily newspapers (articles,
>letters to the editor, editorials) television, and radio.  I include
>radio and TV talk shows, news features, guest appearances, and other
>positive attention to adult literacy education issues.
>
>I have some specific questions which I hope you will respond to:
>
>1.  What media have you -- and others at your program -- worked with
>most successfully? What has made your effort a success?
>
>2.  Have you used any of the materials prepared by the National
>institute for Literacy, for example, their Public Service Announcements
>(PSA's)? Are there any other prepared materials you have found helpful?
>For example, Andres Muro and Tom Sticht periodically post messages here
>which are intended to be used as articles in local newspapers.  Have you
>
>sent these to your local newspaper?  What has been the result when you
>use (or adapt) prepared materials?
>
>3.  How do you sustain a media campaign once you have the media's
>attention?
>
>4.  How do you make most advantage of articles in the press for
>legislative action?  Does anyone systematically track articles about
>adult literacy programs and send them to legislators in whose district
>the students or program resides?
>
>5.  How does (or should) a national media campaign differ from a
>state-level media campaign?
>
>6.  What other questions should we be asking?
>
>David J. Rosen
>NLA List Moderator
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
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