Title reads 'Communications and Media Start Here'. Communication and media icons surrounding a loudspeaker in a circle. Icons include email, music note, video, speech bubbles.

Communications and Media: Start Here

Introduction

Creating change requires engaging audiences, communicating messages, and inviting people to join in action. The resources here will help you get clearer on what communication channels to use and how, how to develop compelling framing and messages, and the skills required to engage media (traditional and new forms) effectively.

This guide will help you navigate the Communications and Media topic on the Commons Library. You may also like to check out our Story and Narrative topic, Digital Campaigning topic and Countering Disinformation project collection.

Learn to savour words and language because no matter what anybody tells you, words and ideas can change the world – Robin Williams

Media

  • The NEON Guide to Progressive Media Work
    NEON’s Press Officer Handbook, a comprehensive guide to effective media work in social movements. Includes writing press releases, using the phone, preparing spokespeople for broadcast and much more.
  • Media Checklist for Actions
    A thorough checklist to help you prepare for traditional and social media in the lead up to an action, including some considerations for non-violent direct actions.
  • How to Create a Media Package
    A media package puts everything a journalist may need together in one place – a media release, photos, a spokesperson bio and background information. This ‘How to create a media package’ has been put together by the Australian Conservation Foundation.
  • Strategic Media Engagement
    The media can be a powerful mode of communication which can have a big impact on the success or failure of our initiatives. But how do we ensure our communications are strategic and don’t just end up being more noise
  • Writing a Media Release
    Need some help writing a media release? Dinah Arndt has prepared this guide to help you master the basics of writing an effective media release. Take a look at her tips and examples, then download her template and get started on creating your own.

  • Some tips from The Australian Conservation Foundation about how to do a great media interview e.g. thinking about before, during and after the interview.
  • How to Engage with the Media, Advanced Activist Skills, Amnesty International
    In this module you’ll gain an understanding of how to work with the media in a strategic way, how you can build relationships with local media to promote your activism, and core skills you’ll need, like writing effective media releases.

Framing, Narrative & Psychology

Framing and Messaging

Story and Narrative

Psychology

Communication Channels & Tools

Digital Communication

Social Media

Mobile

Letters

Writing

Images and Infographics

  • Where do I find images reflecting diversity?
    Looking for photographs or illustrations to use for social media tiles, reports and other publications? Stock image libraries tend to be dominated by able bodied conventionally attractive cisgender white people! Here are some places to find images that reflect greater diversity, especially Australian images.
  • Find Free Images Online
    Need a relevant photo for your urgent social media post right now? Or found the perfect one, but don’t know if you can use it? Here’s some great hints, sources and links.
  • Projecting Power: Visual Strategy for Movements
    Webinars on visual strategy will help you make a plan to create the images we need to win. You’ll be ready to tell a bolder story in the street, maximizing threat to power and making actions more welcoming and joyful.
  • Guidelines: Images Portraying People with Disability
    A short guide from People with Disability Australia PWDA with useful tips on how to portray images of people with disability.
  • Tips for Designing Infographics
    A brief webinar by Commons Librarian volunteer sharing tips for designing infographics for social media and training purposes.
  • Photo and Video Content Brief
    Looking for a sample brief to give to photographers/videographers to capture your action event/protest? Here is an example brief by Move Beyond Coal in Australia.

Videos

Radio / Podcasts

  • Social Change Radio Directory (Australia)
    Community broadcasters are an important part of social movements. The Commons Social Change Radio Directory includes details of almost 100 radio shows from 5 Australian states.
  • How to Call Talkback Radio
    Here is a list of radio stations in Australia that you can call to get your views heard on talkback radio and some tips to help get your issues heard from the Australian Conservation Foundation.
  • Eight tips for going on radio
    Tips from MoveOn’s Communications Manager & GetUp’s previous Chief of Staff on how to make the most out of a radio interview.
  • How to Create your own Podcast
    Learn how to create your own podcast – Tips and examples to help you understand and start your own podcast project.

Speaking

  • TED talk: The Secret Structure of Great Talks by Nancy Duarte
    In this talk, presentation expert Nancy Duarte shares practical lessons on how to make a powerful call-to-action.
  • Watch Inspiring Activist and Protest Speeches
    This article compiles inspiring and impactful activist and protest speeches that have driven social change. It features speeches from influential figures addressing civil rights, climate justice, gender equality, and more. This collection of speeches aims to showcase how powerful rhetoric can ignite movements and mobilize communities towards collective action and positive change.
  • Story of Self, Us and Now: Video Examples
    Be inspired and watch stories of self, us and now using a framework developed by Harvard Professor Marshall Ganz called “Public Narrative”. The Commons Library and the Leading Change Network have collected video examples of stories of self, us and now.

Research and Surveys

  • Campaign Research 101
    An introduction to the basics of campaign research for social change advocates. Campaign research helps you get the right message, in the right format, delivered by the right messengers, to the right audience through the right channels.
  • Survey Design: Forming Survey Questions
    Are you putting a survey together? Here is a useful 2 page document from DataCenter of things to think about when formulating your questions, e.g. leading vs. non-leading questions, types of questions.

Interviews

Brand, Merch, Training & Support

Other

Explore Further