Media awareness and story content; strategies for seeking out great Cochrane stories and sharing them with the media

Article type
Authors
Anthony J1, Owens N2
1Cochrane Central Executive
2Cochrane Communications & External Affairs Department
Abstract
Objectives:
1. An understanding of ‘the media’. Who are they? How do they tick?
2. Provide practical information on what makes a great story. How do you present to journalists, what gives your story an ‘edge’, resulting in memorable coverage?
3. The power of the press release; the PR process.
4. Networking: How to create relationships with key international journalists and bloggers to disseminate Cochrane content and communicate effectively.
5. A supported hands-on opportunity to explore story ideas, news angles for ‘headlines’ with real examples.
Description: Does the thought of talking to a journalist bring you out in a cold sweat? Would you like to know how to communicate your content to an external audience through the media? The Communications and External Affairs Department (CEAD) are looking for ways to spread the word more effectively about Cochrane activities and evidence, developing and delivering Goal 3 of the Strategy to 2020: ‘advocating for evidence.’
This workshop will focus on learning more about the global media landscape: the varying range of media outlets, and how each can be used to disseminate content. We will examine what makes a great story, explore ways to become more media aware, and how building relationships with key science/health correspondents and bloggers who can communicate Cochrane’s impact on policy and practice. We aim to show how higher quality media coverage will improve our communication and capture Cochrane's impact.