Newsrooms of today The changing landscape of media Prepared for: Public Health Executive and Administrative Assistant Conference Feb. 6, 2015 Novotel Toronto Centre, Toronto Presenter: Carrie Beatty, communications specialist Niagara Region Public Health Member of the Ontario Association of Communicators in Public Health
Agenda Welcome Why media is important Role of media in public health work Understanding the news The new media Staying in the game Questions
Why media is important It’s a direct conduit to our target audiences Illustrates the public health sector and the important work we do to keep communities healthy Can advance public health practice and influence policy/decision-makers Increase the ability to accomplish mass communications campaigns Your Board of Health will care
Understanding the news
Journalists come for one of three types of angles 1.Reporting on breaking news / public health crisis 2.Exploring complex ideas for a larger feature about public health that may not be tied to a specific news event 3.Investigating an appearance of misconduct in the public health unit / system 5
Role of spokespeople at health units They represent your organization Conduit to communicate messages effectively Supports public health’s efforts in being seen as open and transparent Speaks to role of MOH/AMOH being recognized as experts in public health knowledge
Urban versus rural
News cycle and the new media
The new media
Tweet, post, like, pin, watch – did you catch it?
Staying in the media game Proactive media strategies Engaging media differently Availability of spokespeople Greater presence of public health leaders on these platforms Telling our story differently
QUESTIONS?
Thank you to my communications colleagues: Barbara Leavitt (Huron County) Lucia Zdeb (PHO) Nicole Helsberg (PHO)