Introduction to the News Media for scientists
20 Mar 2007
A beginner's guide to the way the media works
We would like to invite you to our Introduction to the News Media event for scientists on 8 May 2007 at the Wellcome Trust from 2pm to 7pm. We have run these events in the past and by popular demand they are now a regular Science Media Centre fixture.
What is it?
A beginner's guide to the way the news media works. Much of the tensions between scientists and journalists are the direct result of a lack of mutual understanding and this event gives the opportunity for scientists who are considering doing media interviews an insight into the way the news media works. You will get a whistle stop tour of news media hearing from journalists, scientists and press officers about:
- The deadlines that journalists work to
- The role of the editor
- How journalists find stories
- Top tips for dealing with the media
- The role of the press officer
- The importance of engaging with the media
What the scientists that took part in October 2006 said:
"Really interesting and engaging speakers"
"A very worthwhile experience and some very sensible advice given"
"It was a very good insight! I particularly appreciated the panel of scientists who shared their experiences"
"Overall, a well-resourced and useful intro to working with media — great materials, very encouraging (useful summary leaflets) — would recommend it to colleagues"
"Very good and interesting introduction to the world of media. Gives confidence and motivation to do media training"
"Well worth the journey! I will be in touch with the Press Office at Uni to help with a current project."
It isn't:
Traditional media training. This session will NOT prepare you for a confrontation with Paxman or Humphries and is not skills based media training; instead it will give you a flavour of the media to help you understand its demands and make it easier for you to work with journalists.
Is it for you?
- This is only for you if you have not had much/any media experience before — we are very limited on space so please don't come along if you are already media trained or had lots of experience of dealing with journalists.
- This event will be very similar to previous SMC Introduction to the News Media Day's — so please don't come if you have been to the event before.
- This session only deals with news journalism so will only be relevant to you if you work on a 'hot' topic within science that is likely to hit the headlines.
- If you are an engineer, you may wish to attend our specialist Introduction to the News Media Day for Engineers, which will address issues that are specifically relevant to your work. For more information, contact Lyndal Gully (lgully@ri.ac.uk).
The event will be divided up into sessions with a few tea breaks and we'll finish off over a glass of wine and the opportunity to network informally with your fellow scientists. I'll get back to you with more information closer to the time.
The event is completely free of charge. However, due to the size of the lecture theatre, numbers will be limited so we are keen to give these limited places to those of you who will benefit most from this event. If you would like to come along, please let me know as soon as possible and I will put your name on the list.
Finally - please do not request a place unless you are absolutely sure you can attend this session and it is definitely in your diary. Places available are limited to 150 and we anticipate that the demand for places will be higher than we can accommodate.
To register for this event please send an e-mail with your name and contact details to:
Simon Levey
Science Media Centre
t: 020 7670 2980
e: slevey@ri.ac.uk
w: www.sciencemediacentre.org