Do you ever think that your expertise, your advocacy, your voice can help cut through some of the noise, propaganda, spin and misinformation? Do you want to express yourself on the human rights and political climate in the country and world, particularly with next year’s presidential election looming? There is much to be gained from having more strong, articulate, knowledgeable voices in print and online.
This workshop is designed to develop the capacity of human rights and social justice actors to effectively engage with the media in order to advance their work. Facilitated by a human rights journalist with 45 years of experience, participants will gain an insider view of how to effectively engage the media. Drawing on real-world examples and interactive learning activities, through this workshop, participants learn how to: develop media engagement strategies based on a better understanding of journalists’ goals and perspectives; craft, advance, manage, and distribute messages through various strategies, including through social media; identify relevant publications; brand oneself and/or an organization as a go-to source on human rights issues; frame human rights issues that will engage the public; write op-eds and press releases; secure and conduct interviews.
Workshop participants will also have an opportunity to receive feedback on a draft op-ed or press-release and will be provided a resource packet. Prior to the workshop, participants are asked to identify a story or message they would like to craft.
About the facilitator:
Lonnie Isabel is an established journalism instructor who recently left a five-year stint as a full-time faculty member at Columbia University's Journalism School. As a veteran of the newspaper business, he has worked on both coasts as a political reporter, investigative reporter and editor for Newsday, the Boston Globe, Boston Herald and Oakland Tribune. As deputy managing editor of Newsday, Isabel was responsible for supervising the national, foreign, state, Washington, health and science staffs. He was editor and supervisor of Dele Olojede’s Pulitzer Prize winning series on the aftermath of the Rwandan genocide and has overseen coverage of the Iraq War, the aftermath of September 11th, and two presidential campaigns. Isabel has trained journalists in Jordan and India and was appointed a Poynter Ethics Fellow in 2006.
A certificate of participation will be granted to all those who complete the full day of training. Individuals who complete three workshops offered as part of the Human Rights Training Series will receive an ISHR Human Rights Training Series certificate of completion.
Early bird rate of $345 for those who register by October 11th with discount code: EARLYBIRD.
Regular rate of $395.
Columbia students are eligible for a 40% discount if enrolled by the early bird deadline (please email humanrightsed@columbia.edu for more information).
We will also offer a limited number of reduced rates for those wish significant financial need.
Prospective participants who wish to apply for a need-based discount, as well as registered participants, are asked to complete the following survey: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfeLQR6AX_FSB8t6Y_rFd7dYbIa5C6v...
