Why should you attend?
The ability to deal effectively with the media in interview situations is an important skill for communicators and anyone whose work includes a media / communications / information-provision dimension. This workshop is designed for those who occupy a position where they may, as part of their job, have to be available to media or who would like to expand their professional skills – in fact, even if you’re not directly invovled with media, the skills and techniques learned in this workshop are invaluable when presenting, briefing, speaking in meetings, dealing with committees or on similar occasions. They can be applied whether the audience is the boss, other bosses, colleagues, stakeholders, the public or members of the media.
What will you learn?
- What’s news, story selection, coverage drivers, differences between media
- The basic Do’s and Don’ts of dealing with the media
- How to negotiate an interview – how to develop a strategy, prepare and stay in control
- Dealing with difficult questions
- Giving radio and television interviews
What will you take away?
- Participant notebook consisting of presentation slides
- Hand-outs
- A copy of your mock-interview(s) – if requested
- Increased confidence in dealing with media
Professional Competencies
- Thinking Things Through: Innovating through analysis and ideas
- Engagement: Working effectively with people, organizations and partners
Meet Your Instructor
Don Smith
Don Smith is a former broadcast journalist and Government of Canada communications executive. During his ten years in radio Don produced two highly successful talk shows at CFRA Ottawa, and later was senior reporter for CKOY/CKBY Ottawa and a… Read full bio
Sample Agenda
| Activity |
|---|
| Introductions and Workshop Overview |
| Media 101 Media characteristics and operation: overview of radio, television print media; the Internet. What media want; how they get it; what they do with it when they get it – or don’t get it. Key aspects: media as opportunity; the idea of control; building and maintaining credibility – do’s and don’ts. |
| BREAK |
| Negotiating the Terms of and Preparing for the Interview; the Print and Radio Interview When the first call comes: negotiating the ground rules. Preparing: getting ready; developing a personal interview plan and strategy; avoiding pitfalls. The length and depth of print versus other interviews; the role of the voice and language in radio interviews; the interview plan; tips and techniques. |
| Exercise: Giving the Radio Interview Each participant will undertake a recorded radio interview. Playback and feedback identifying strengths and areas for improvement. |
| LUNCH |
| Bridging and Deflecting Techniques, Difficult Questions and Giving Answers Questions that are: direct; vague; partly true; based on erroneous information; emotional; hostile; hypothetical; personal. Conflicting agendas: you’ve agreed on what you will talk about but you and the journalist may have different agendas. Techniques for dealing with difficult questions: talking about what you want to talk about. |
| Preparing for the Television Environment and Interview An environment where impressions trump content; attitude; facial expression; body language; dress; hair; etc. |
| BREAK |
| Exercise: Giving the Television Interview Each participant will undertake a recorded television interview. Playback and feedback identifying strengths and areas for improvement. |
| Wrap-up and Workshop Evaluation Participants will complete a short evaluation. |
Several people made a point of telling me how well the presentation went, how useful it was to them and how well I did, leading the presentation. I frankly owe these kudos to you and an excellent training session. This was, in fact, the first time I have ever delivered a presentation in such formal circumstances. My ability to perform (without nerves!) in front of a high-powered group was entirely due to the learning I received from you at the “Effective Oral Briefings and Presentations to Senior Officials” session in March (2014). So thanks, Josef!