N a t i o n a l C o u n c i l o f A p p l i e d E c o n o m i c R e s e a r c h

N e w D e l h i

J u n e 9 - 1 0 , 2 0 1 4

Towards Greater Research Impact

Media Skills: Driving the Agenda

How to handle journalists

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Lets Discover…

Remember!

Practice makes Perfect

So keep engaging with

scribes

You’re in DemandMedia Always Needs More & More News

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Doing the Homework 4

Step 1

Pick a maximum of 1-3 key findings at a time

Building a ‘Story’ for Journalists5

Step 2Be sure of what you want to say to journalists

Keep it Short6

Step 3Less is More5 paras; 300-400 words

Step 5: Tell all Quickly!7

They have just 2 min.

Or, first 2 paras of each news item.

On TV, you have 10 seconds.

Practical Tip: Check your newspaper everyday! Which para has the main message?

Grab Ears and Eyeballs8

Step 3

Quote Data and Facts from your

Research

It makes your ‘story’ richer for

the journalist

The 5 Rules to be a Media ‘Star’9

Rule 1From Confidence to Being in Control

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Rule 2: The 4 P’s11

Prioritise your messages. Pick less, maximum of 3.

Prepare by rote your key message(s).

Practice speaking in front of a mirror, friend, or call

yourself on a phone.

Perspective through field-based examples/quotes.

Rule 3: Form and Content12

short sentencesNo jargon please!

precise.

Repeat Key messages.

Be Sincere, Passionate, Respectful

Articulate Well

Rule 4Stay on Message and Keep Repeating

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Rule 5: Learn the ABC14

Acknowledge what the journalist says

Bridge the gap connecting it to your message

Communicate your message

Keep at it.

Keep saying what you came there to say!

A Word of Caution15

What can be related questions that you can be asked but don’t

want to answer?

List them with your team

Practice sticking to

Prepare, Practice…16

Do not React; Stay in Control; Yes, ABC

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Q. What good will reforming the PDS bring given the extent of corruption in the public distribution system?

Wrong A: I guess it will be of some use as we submitted it to the food department and the secretary said the department will be acting on it….

Right A: Well, please remember that for the first time a computerised MIS system has been proposed. Migrants too can use their ration cards now. These changes will make the PDS system more efficient and effective….[go back to your message].

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Thank you

This presentation was developed by:

Aditi Kapoor

Director (Policy and Partnerships)

Alternative Futures

development research and communication group

B-177, East of Kailash, New Delhi 110065

Mob:+91 9810306200 I Em: aditikapoor2@gmail.com I skype: aditi.kapoor

www.alternativefutures.org.in I www.gencap.org.in I Twitter: @GENCAPaf