AC.THA 105 - Using the News: Shaping Coverage of your Activism in the News Media

Course Description:

From social media to podcasting, activists have many new tools at their disposal to take control of their messaging and communicate directly with their communities. However, traditional news media still offers an opportunity to amplify those messages and lend your movement a sense of legitimacy. But this comes at a cost: a loss of control.

In this workshop, we’ll discuss strategies for ensuring news media coverage of your activism is accurate and beneficial to your cause. We’ll focus on the opportunities and risks that exist in the Peterborough media ecosystem in particular.

This workshop is facilitated by Will Pearson; Will is a journalist in Peterborough, Ontario and helped launch Peterborough Currents. He has ten years experience of journalism experience in local, regional, and national media.

This workshop is aimed at activists, advocates, and anyone interested in learning how to successfully engage local news outlets in social change work.

Objectives:

• Familiarize ourselves with the local news media
• Learn about strategies to control the narrative
• Gain a better understanding of how your particular cause can benefit from news coverage, and how

Dates

February 13 2023 3:30-6 PM

Location We will be hosting this workshop at All Saints Anglican Church, in the Parish Hall (235 Rubidge St. Peteborough, ON). This location is accessible.

Age

This course is 16+. If you are under 16 and interested in taking this course, please be in touch.

Facilitator

Will Pearson

Cost

Gift economics is a different way of interacting with money and understanding what something is “worth.”  In a Gift model, goods and services are not sold as they are in a market model of economics.  Rather, they are given freely with no requirement of an exchange.  We believe that the lessons and teachings we give and receive in our workshops are priceless.

At the same time, we do have needs as an organization operating within the current economic and social structures.  Therefore, all participants in our community workshops are offered an opportunity to support our work.  No one is required to give, and no amount is considered too small or too large. (Adapted from East Point Peace Academy)