Researchers Equipped with Practical Skills to Communicate with the Media
EPRC researchers recently completed an advanced training in communication with the media. The training aimed at exposing researchers on how the broadcast media works and equipping them with practical skills on how to convey research results in a compelling form, substance and style.
During the training researchers were introduced to packaging the key messages of their research using three main approaches namely: A headline that reflects the key message of the study; characteristics that spell out the attributes of the key message; and qualitative and quantitative evidence that supports the conclusion and impact of the results.
The participants conducted practical on camera training and feedback sessions and were also introduced to broadcast interview techniques. These included: bridging, flagging and hooking which are used to emphasize key points and draw attention of both the interviewer and viewers/listeners.
“What I liked most about the training are the new skills I can use to avoid contentious questions and bring back the interviewer to the gist of my main message,” says Paul Lakuma a Research Analyst at EPRC.
The five-day training was sponsored under the Think Tank Initiative’s Policy Engagement and Communication (PEC) Programme. It was facilitated by Paula Fray, a South African based media expert, who also doubles as the EPRC mentor for the PEC Programme.