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NGO Media Forum 2012
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Stories that matter in a changing media landscape
The 2012 NGO Media Forum held jointly by ACOSS and the Australian Centre for Independent Journalism at UTS on Wednesday 28th March was a great success! Full program here.
The forum brought together award winning journalists such as Suzanne Smith (ABC), Trent Dalton (Courier Mail), Adele Horin (SMH), and The Punch Editor David Penberthy, with media academics and researchers (Wendy Bacon and Tom Morton from ACIJ), and over one-hundred working media professionals from Australia's community not-for-profit sector.
Organiser, Fernando de Freitas, Media Coordinator with ACOSS, said this year's event titled, Stories that matter in a changing media landscape focused on key issues currently affecting the media and communications work of Australia's not-for-profit sector as we learn and struggle to adapt to a new media environment in our quest to get our stories told and find novel ways to tell our own narratives.
The second part of the forum focused on effective campaigning and how shared campaigns are becoming the trend because they are stronger and have more clout, but require careful managing and committed shared interest to be successful
It proved to be an extremely stimulating day with enormous professional development insights for both journalists and media and communications professionals working in the community and wider not-for-profit sector.
Overview of the ACOSS 2012 NGO Media Forum
-Takeouts from the NGO Media Forum
Stories that count panel
• If resources are strictly limited at media companies, and tools for publishing and distribution are at their cheapest level in history, one must ask: Can NGOs become publishing organisations in their roles as advocating for the disadvantaged? Why rely on the established media when NGO's can begin crafting pieces themselves?
• Journalists often favour the personal and humanised perspective and hence want to put them forward in their stories, rather than including an NGO's voice. The hard and genuine life stories of disadvantage that our sector is trying to give voice to are extremely effective. Accordingly, a thoroughly communicated story is a well-executed story. It can just be harder to pull off.
• Organisations must remember to incorporate strong messages that will resonate with your audience but never ‘dumb down' the story. More often than not, we are dealing with intricate issues and the individual's whose stories we need to tell are complicated and placed in complex situations. While this is a difficult balance to achieve, there are lot of great examples to look to for inspiration.
• Panellists encouraged organisations to integrate them online and encourage the discussion. Admittedly, they also added that it will rapidly grow and will be difficult to manage, but with clear and well defined policies, this can be beneficial in growing interest and involving the wider public.
Links mentioned from panellists:
• Trent Dalton (The Courier Mail): Home is where the Hurt Is:http://www.walkleys.com/files/media/DaltonHomeIsWhereTheHurtIs.pdf
• David Penberthy (The Punch): A Horror Movie about Poverty and Welfare: http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/a-horror-movie-about-poverty-and-violence/
• Suzanne Smith (ABC): Beating the Odds http://www.abc.net.au/news/specials/beating-the-odds
Collaboration: Let's Work Together
• Panellists speaking in this session generally emphasised that one must carefully define the organisational aims for using the media.
• EMC mentioned that although it may seem obvious, once it is practised, it will lead to more purposeful and effective use of platforms, communication styles and language. Thus it is crucial for close collaboration between organisations and stronger, more flexible practices in this dynamic media environment.
• Organisations were encouraged to form coalitions but were also reminded not be held back by them. Organisations must be agile in telling their stories, which need to be published early and reiterated continually through campaign development. Grass roots stories are integral to sector collaboration success stories. Thus there is a need for an open collaborative communication space for the sector.
• Organisations must utilise social platforms to enable suppressed voices, as well as have a coalition voice and an individual organisational voice. It can be difficult to coordinate the message and focus on the 90% agreement rather than the 10% disagreement.
Links Mentioned During Session
• Best Collaborative Journalism Case Studies: http://delicious.com/stacks/view/Ls82bt
For more information contact Fernando de Freitas on fernando@acoss.org.au or 02 9319 6209.
Program
| Time | Session | Presenter | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9:00 - 9:20 | Welcome | Fernando de Freitas
Media Media & Communications Coordinator, Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS) Tom MortonDirector, Australian Centre for Independent Journalism (ACIJ) & Associate Professor Journalism, UTS Sydney. |
Setting the scene: Where the Fourth Estate and the Third Sector intersectBrief introduction by Fernando and Tom setting the scene for the topics to be covered throughout the day. The rapidly transforming media landscape - how it is changing traditional journalism practise; the opportunities for the journalism profession and the community sector; and the contribution educational institutions such as UTS and peak bodies like ACOSS can make to truth telling. |
| 9:20 - 9:45 | Opening speaker | Wendy Bacon
Professor of Journalism at UTS based at the Australian Centre for Independent Journalism |
The changing media landscape: new journalism, democracy, and civil societyHow is innovation changing journalism practise and traditional models, and what will both look like into the future. How can the new tools, spaces and models be used to maximise and diffuse storytelling; shed light on decision making; keep power-holders to account; and strengthen civil society and Australian democracy. Wendy will also touch on the recent media inquiry and the implications for the community non-for-profit sector. |
| 9:45 - 11.05 | Panel discussion | Chaired by Wendy Bacon Garry Linnell - National Editor, Metro Media, Fairfax Media David Higgins Christopher Zinn- Director Campaigns & Communications, CHOICE Marni Cordell - Editor and Publisher, New Matilda |
The panel will discuss the issues raised in the opening speech and also look at the relationship between journalists and the not-for-profit sector, how they are evolving, and what opportunities there are for the sector in the changing media environment. |
| 11:05 -11:25 | Morning Tea | ||
| 11:25 - 12:45 | Panel discussion |
Chaired by Elise Davidson David Penberthy- Editor, The Punch, News Limited Suzanne Smith- Senior Investigative reporter, Lateline ABC TV Sarah Ferguson- ABC Four Corners reporter Trent Dalton- Assistant Editor, Courier Mail |
Stories that make people careWe hear from four leading journalists and editors about what motivates them to write and broadcast about social issues in a way that makes people care. What kinds of stories are journalists looking for, how do they go about getting them, and how can the not-for-profit sector get better at getting their stories told? Does the Third Sector still rely too much on the traditional media to tell their stories? |
| 12:45–1:30 | Lunch | ||
| 1:30 - 2:50 | Panel discussion | Chaired by Tom Morton Adele Horin- Senior Columnist, Sydney Morning Herald Andrew McCallum- CEO Association of Children's Welfare Agencies Gillian Calvert |
Breaking Down the Silos: Journalists, Bureaucracy and Social JusticeJournalists who often find that the people at the center of their stories are dealing with multiple government departments or agencies, but no-one wants to take responsibility; for example, people with mental illness may also have issues with homelessness, tenancy, substance abuse etc. How can journalists get the buck to stop? And how can social services professionals better understand how journalists work. This session would bring together clients, professionals and journalists - with a strong emphasis on case studies. |
| 2:50 - 3:20 | Guest speaker |
Claire O'Rourke & David Imber |
More Clout: Coalition campaigning in the 3rd sectorClaire O'Rourke and David Imber from Essential Media Communications will talk through the move to coalition campaigning and outline how effective coalitions can have more influence - and success. Campaign targets often have big dollars or a seat at the table with government. Using examples from recent coalition campaigns, they will demonstrate how strategic coalitions can win, even when resources are limited. |
| 3:20 - 3:30 | Afternoon Tea | ||
| 3:30 - 5:00 | Final Session | Chaired by Fernando de Freitas
Jill Lang
Sarah Toohey
Gerard Thomas |
Collaboration: Let's work together!How can organisations in the not-for-profit sector work together in shared campaigns? Anti-Poverty Week Australians for Affordable Housing Allowances Campaign - Newstart |
The NGO Media Forum takes place the day before the 2012 ACOSS National Conference, which will be held in Sydney at Australian Technology Park (ATP) Redfern on Thursday and Friday 29-30 March 2012. Check out the program and make sure you come along!