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How the Media Can Help
Media relations is a very important part of what we do here at the Alzheimer Society. Through the media, we have the opportunity to raise awareness about dementia, as well as our advocacy efforts.
The media is also an excellent way to spark public awareness and public education. Local newspapers, magazines, television and radio stations are all useful outlets to help tell your story.
The best media stories are ones with a personal angle – something that readers and viewers can relate too. You stand a much better chance at getting the media's attention if you can talk about your own personal experience with the disease, and why there is an urgent need for politicians to pay attention.
Letter to the Editor
Letters to your local newspaper have a good chance of being published if they are well written, to the point and address an issue that affects your community.
For reasons of space, even brief letters may be edited for length, so don't be discouraged if your letter is cut from its original length.
Sample letter to the editor
Be an Alzheimer Society spokesperson
When we run media campaigns, or are contacted by the media in response to a story they are already pursuing, the reporters often ask the Society to put them in contact with spokespeople who are personally connected to dementia. For example, a caregiver, or someone living with the disease.
This is where you can help. As a spokesperson for the Society, you play a vital role in getting our message out to the public.
For the most part, the media is looking for a human angle to their story, someone who can talk about the disease first hand because they are directly affected by it. The media typically ask our spokespeople questions about their experiences and how they are coping.
The following are a few simple guidelines that can help you to prepare and conduct media interviews.
Preparing for the Interview:
- When possible, set up the interview at a time when you feeling at your best, whether that is mid morning, or early afternoon, the reporter can normally accommodate your schedule.
- Arrange to have someone at the interview with you. This can be a spouse, a friend, or a member of the Alzheimer Society. The point is to have someone there with you for support during the interview.
- Before the interview or appearance, think about what it is you want to say, and what you want to leave the public with.
- If you are feeling nervous, rehearse on your own or role play with family and friends. This might make you feel more comfortable speaking to the reporter during your interview.
During the Interview:
- Speak in personal terms. The reporter is interested in your story, and how dementia has affected and changed your life.
- If you don't know the answer to something, say so. Additional information can always be provided after the interview.
- When possible, try and be concise. Remember that a 10 minute interview may wind up to being 20 seconds on the air, or three lines in the newspaper.
- When being interviewed for TV, ignore the lights, cameras or sound boom. Look directly at the interviewer.
- Remember that the microphones are always live.
- If you say it, expect to see it in print or hear it on the air – nothing is 'off the record'.
If you are interested in becoming a spokesperson for the Alzheimer Society, send us an e-mail at advocacy@alzheimer.ca.
Help us keep track of your advocacy efforts – let us know if you have a letter published, or have been quoted in a news story by e-mailing us at advocacy@alzheimer.ca.
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