Media Relations Training (Part 2 of 2)
Presented by: Dale Armstrong and Bill Landis, Region 7, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Everyday, EPA employees are responsible for talking to reporters–maybe even YOU. What you say and how you present yourself is critical in establishing trust and credibility for the Agency. This can be nerve-wracking and uncomfortable but it doesn’t have to be! In this eight-hour training, you will be able to demonstrate your MEDIA STAR potential by developing and practicing how to get your message to the media–a key skill that will equip you to handle any press situation. Whether you’re conducting field work, emergency response work or just sitting at your desk, you can be a MEDIA STAR!

Whether it’s “60 Minutes” or the local newspaper, you will learn how to handle any interview professionally. Whether you are called upon to answer tough questions on air pollution, Superfund sites, or pesticide plights, you will learn how to give your message to the media. The workshop includes a brief overview of EPA’s history and relationship with the press and a presentation about some universal truths about the journalism profession and how it relates to environmental reporting. The bulk of the workshop will be spent practicing interview skills by crafting and delivering key messages–no matter how tough the questions get. This workshop uses simulated press interviews based on actual press situations EPA employees have encountered. Participants will develop and demonstrate skills through practice exercises, videotaped interviews, and newspaper interviews. Through discussion and feedback, participants will receive positive suggestions to improve their MEDIA STAR potential.

View/Download presentation materials in PDF format:
(2.12MB/PDF)