View from the Other Side

Together with Lucinda Broadbent from mediaco-op,  I spent the day delivering a media training session to a group of Chief Executives and senior managers from the Social Enterprise sector.

As well as putting the participants through a series of challenging exercises and scenarios, we encourage them mentally take a step into the journalists’ shoes.  To think like a journalist is the best way to prepare for an encounter with one.  Given an opportunity to role play, the “journalists” not only enjoy their moment as part of the hack pack, they gain valuable experience which they can call upon in the future.

Another exercise challenges the perceptions participants have of the media and vice versa.  No matter how many times I have taken part in this exercise, I am always amazed at how much baggage we carry around with us, and how easy it is to colour our judgement with stereotypes.   I think if this short exercise was introduced into school classrooms, workplaces and especially in the training of journalists, it could go some way to breaking down barriers within our communities.