WHAT IS MEDIA ADVOCACY?
Media advocacy is the strategic use of any form of
media to help advance an organization's social objectives or policy
goals. In this context, media is a tool, a means to an end, but not
an end in itself. Through media advocacy, the advocate frames his
issue to show its importance to the community. Just as an artist
uses a frame to enclose what he wants the viewer to see, and exclude
the rest, advocates can use the media to present the problems faced
by individuals with disabilities and their families in such a way
that frames the critical issues and points to desired solutions.
You should use media advocacy when you want to:
- Change the way key decision-makers and the general public look at the problems faced by individuals with developmental disabilities and their families;
- Explain how these problems could and should be solved;
- Create a reliable, consistent stream of publicity or media focus for your center’s issues and activities; and
- Motivate community members and policy makers to get involved.
This tool kit will provide the basics for how to use media advocacy
to get more attention for your issues, and more awareness of their
optimal solutions.
Media advocates know that the media can be the most efficient way to
communicate with the largest audience possible in the least amount
of time. As a media advocate, you can use the media to:
- Inform the public about the problems faced by persons with
developmental disabilities and their families.
- Recast these problems as social concerns that affect everyone, not
just a distant group.
- Encourage community members and their leaders to find out more
about the problems of developmental disability and to get involved
in solving those problems.
- Promote 360-center services within your community that address the
problems and needs of individuals with developmental disabilities
and their families.
Toolkit Links
ADD Media Advocacy Tool Kit
Contents
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