publications

BMSG's issue series

Video: How news media shapes our understanding of youth violence and sexual assault

Friday, November 20, 2015

As part of an Institute of Medicine workshop on the social and cultural norms that underlie the acceptance of violence, BMSG’s Lori Dorfman discusses the role of the news media, how connections among violence, youth and race get distorted in news reports on crime, and the prevalence of language in the news that minimizes the act of sexual violence. She also addresses the need to reframe news coverage in ways that highlight the social context for violence and potential solutions.

Talking about trauma: Findings and opportunities from an analysis of news coverage

Wednesday, October 28, 2015

Children who experience trauma are at an increased risk of developing mental and physical health issues later in life, with profound implications for every sector of society. Because the media play an important role in shaping policy, we examined the news to see how adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are portrayed, and we identified opportunities for advocates to improve the volume and quality of coverage.

Worksheet: Developing strategic messages [pdf]

Thursday, October 22, 2015

To advance public health policy goals, advocates must know how to communicate strategically about the issue they want to address, why it matters, and what should be done about it. Use this worksheet to practice developing messages for your target audience.

Worksheet: Answering hard questions [pdf]

Thursday, October 22, 2015

Being strategic means anticipating your opposition’s arguments and preparing for hard questions, whether they’re from a news reporter, your target decision-maker(s), or even a community member who could one day become an ally. Use this worksheet with colleagues or others to brainstorm hard questions and practice your responses.

Activity: Delivering effective messages [pdf]

Thursday, October 22, 2015

It’s one thing to develop a strategic message. It’s an entirely different skill to deliver your message in a strategic way. Use this mock interview activity to help you stay on message and further your policy goals.

Worksheet: Creating a media advocacy calendar [pdf]

Thursday, October 22, 2015

Creating a media advocacy calendar can help you identify key moments in the political process or opportunities ‰— such as holidays, anniversaries or other key dates ‰— that you can leverage to garner media attention. Use this worksheet to help you identify news hooks and prepare for newsworthy events in advance.

Worksheet: Elements of newsworthiness [pdf]

Thursday, October 22, 2015

Media coverage can provide a powerful way for advocates to shape public conversations and public policy. But gaining coverage requires understanding what makes an issue newsworthy. Use this worksheet to brainstorm ways to make your issue relevant to the media.

‘We’re part of the solution’: Evolution of the food and beverage industry’s framing of obesity concerns between 2000 and 2012

Friday, September 18, 2015

How are food and beverage companies shaping public conversation on obesity and other nutrition-related diseases? How can advocates help denormalize industry tactics? In this paper for the American Journal of Public Health, we, along with our colleagues from the Public Health Advocacy Institute, analyzed news statements to learn what messages the food and beverage industry is using in response to obesity concerns, how messaging tactics have shifted over time, and implications for public health.

Issue 22: What’s missing from the news on sexual violence? An analysis of coverage, 2011-2013

Tuesday, September 01, 2015

Understanding how sexual violence appears in the media is important for advocates working to prevent it because news coverage offers insights into how the public and policymakers view the issue and what to do about it. In this Issue, BMSG explores how journalists characterize sexual violence, whether prevention is discussed, and what steps advocates and reporters can take to improve coverage.

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