Local media toolkit for activists

If you are an activist, this easy read will help you if you need to speak to the media.

The media are the people who make newspapers, adverts, and programmes for TV and radio. 

As an activist it is important to know how to speak to people from local newspapers, TV and radio stations and magazines.

This is because they can help you tell more people in your community about the things you want to change.

• Check if Mencap have already spoken to the people in the media who you are thinking of talking to.
  
  To do this email the Mencap Media team at [email protected]

• Call or email your local Mencap activism coach if you want to use the name 'Mencap' in any way.
  
  To find out how to contact your local activism coach visit our website.

• Check our website for the latest information if you want to use any Mencap reports or quotes.

Quotes are when something that someone has said has been written down which other people can read.

As it is a big thing to speak to the media, you need to be careful about what you say.

• Look at different magazines, newspapers and TV programmes to find out how they tell people what other activists have said to them.

• Could anyone become upset or angry about your media message?

• Is everything you want to tell the media within the law ?

• Are you ready for how people might respond to your story?

• Are you confident that the person from the media who you want to talk to, will be nice to you and treat you and your story with respect ?

• Are you happy that people will forever be able to find your face and story after you speak to the media?

While local media can be great for spreading your story and getting more support, it will not make your campaign successful on it's own.

Your story may just be the first step to success.

The media will often ask for pictures to go with your story.

• be clear and good quality.

• have the consent of the people in any photographs.

Consent is when someone has agreed for you to do something.

For more information about speaking to the media you can contact your local Mencap activism coach.

Find your activism coach on our website.