How to Speak Up for Change Estelle Worthington – Campaign Project Manager, North West

Media engagement and working with refugee speakers Consider all media requests in the context of your wider communications strategy and advocacy strategy or organisational goals. Consider developing a protocol for media engagement. Work in partnership locally and nationally to draw on media expertise within the wider sector. Media experts like IMiX can help identify pros and cons of responding to specific enquiries; risks associated with particular publications, outlets, angle or journalist; can coach you to ask the right questions and set parameters with journalists; and can cast the net wider if you decide your organisation can’t respond. If you go ahead, they can help with key messages and use of language.

Media engagement and working with refugee speakers Get as much information as possible about the piece: What’s the focus/ angle? Key questions? Who else have they spoken to? Where and when will it be aired or published? Be aware of your position as simultaneously a bridge and gatekeeper between journalist and refugee speaker. Put the wellbeing of potential spokespeople first by ensuring they are fully aware of what they are consenting to, and try to find out why they want to engage with the media. Be aware, a person who feels indebted to or dependent on you may say ‘yes’ because they think it’s what you want them to do. Agree clear parameters with the journalist before introducing them to the spokesperson: Will quotes and comments be attributable? Will their name be used? Are there any questions or lines of inquiry that are off limits? Will it be pre-recorded?

Media engagement and working with refugee speakers Ensure the spokesperson gets the coaching and emotional support they need prior to the media engagement. Remind them they have the power/ freedom not to answer certain questions, or to pull out at any point if they choose. Accompany them to the interview (or ensure they have a friend who can). Speak to them immediately after the interview. If it’s pre-recorded and there are any issues of concern you can raise these with the journalist or producer. Make the spokesperson aware of when the piece will be aired. Provide emotional support at this point too.

Possible training needs of refugee speakers Working with the media/ practical steps to prepare for an interview Storytellling (skills in telling your story or that of your community, techniques for engaging audiences and revealing the 'human story’) Responding to difficult questions and challenging common myths Talking about issues affecting refugees and people seeking asylum: key messages and solutions UK political context, and how asylum policy fits into this European/ global context

@asylummatters / Estelle@asylummatters.org Any Questions? @asylummatters / Estelle@asylummatters.org