Nonviolence 4 Equality

Talking to the media – Things to remember

 Talking to the Media [downloadable .PDF]

• If you are willing to talk to reporters, think ahead and plan what you want to say.

• Be prepared, be prepared, be prepared!

• Stay on message, stay on message, stay on message!

• Short personal stories are powerful, use them! (but have them thought out ahead of time)

• Frame personal stories – “for me…” “Speaking only for myself…” “I personally believe…”

• Do not assume the reporter has any understanding of Soulforce, however, it is not your job to explain it!!

• Unless authorized, do not speak for Soulforce, but for yourself.

• Do not assume the reporter is friendly to our cause, but treat reporters with respect and congeniality – they are the ones that get our message out.

• Do not repeat negative phrases or let reporters’ questions draw you off message.

• Do not allow reporters to frame the debate.

• Remember – reporters sometimes don’t know the right questions to ask and are fishing for the right angle, help them out.

• ALWAYS keep in mind… you don’t have to answer the question that is asked. (“I think more to the point is the fact that… <message point>”

• ALWAYS try to bring any question back to one of the message points in your answer.

• Do not ramble.  Stop talking after you made your point.

• Never talk “off the record”.

• A good reporter will always ask, “Is there anything else you want to add?”  The only wrong answer to this question is NO.  If you have nothing new to say, reiterate your message points, if you forgot one of your message points, state it now.

• AVOID exaggeration or hyperbole. ALWAYS be rigorously honest.

Developing Sound bites and Message Points, be proactive!

Sound bite: A memorable SHORT phrase or sentence that “sums” up exactly what you want to say.  (Can stand on its own, but is explained using your message points)

Message points:  The 3 main points of your message.

Example:

1) I am a Presbyterian, and for 3 decades I have watched my church debate this issue, I must do something, I can no longer remain silent.

2) I believe I am made in the image of God.  I love my church, but it appears that my church doesn’t love me.

3) I am part of Soulforce because I want to do something that is meaningful, that speaks the truth to power, that employs the principles of Gandhi and King, and that makes me feel like I am part of a movement that is really going to make a difference.

Soundbite: The Debate must end!

Prepared by Laura Montgomery Rutt, former Soulforce Media Coordinator: Soulforce Long Beach

 © 2000