Environmental Media Communications Training

Local authority environmental campaigns — getting the message across in the community

Local authorities have to keep up with the shifting tide of public opinion and the growing media demand for more information about local environmental services. Waste and recycling, energy conservation and transport are just some of the issues local communities want to know about.

This one-day media training course is designed specifically for local authority communications managers and officers with responsibility for promoting environmental services and facilities and encouraging local communities to use them.

You will learn how to manage the media better, present information in a clear and positive way, identify good stories and take control of media interviews.

Course Outline — Getting the most out of the media

• how local and regional media works
• find out what the media want from you
• how to write effective press releases
• how to get the message across effectively – pressing the right buttons
• Live radio-style broadcast interviews and presentation techniques
• Live TV-style broadcast interviews and presentation techniques
• peer reviews of broadcast interview sessions
• your introduction to blogging, podcasting and other new media communications

The programme also includes several practical exercises using high profile media stories of local authority community projects and programmes.

Training Pack — All topics on this course are included in a comprehensive media training pack including programme, exercise material, press release guide and interview checklists. You will also receive a performance evaluation which will help define your organisation's media strengths and requirements.

• understanding how the media works (general press, science and trade journals and broadcasters at national/regional level)
• how to get your message across effectively
• how to take control of interviews and avoid pitfalls in the broadcast media
• how to sustain the learning experience after the course

The course will be run by former BBC Environment Correspondent, John Barwise AIEMA (Registered environmental auditor and member of the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment).

Who should attend: Local government communications managers, environmental and regeneration project managers, sustainability managers and waste recycling officers.

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