News for a Change: An Advocate's Guide to Working with the Media (Paperback)

by Dr. Lawrence Wallack (Author), Katie Woodruff (Author), Dr. Lori Elizabeth Dorfman (Author), Dr. Iris Diaz (Author), Iris Diaz (Author) "Changing the world, or just your own community, is a difficult task, and you must bring all available resources to bear on the challenge..." (more)
Key Phrases: social math, media advocacy efforts, suicide barrier, San Francisco, The New York Times, California Street (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"Many activists are disheartened and intimidated by the "sound bite" culture that dominates current news coverage. This timely, thought-provoking, and exciting book guides us beyond our reluctance to engge with the media. It is a must-read for all who need to master the art of presenting clearly, convincingly, and honestly to gain public support for public health." -- Helen Rodruiguez-Trias, Co-Director, Pacific Institue for Women's Health and Former President, American Public Health Association

"News for a Change accomplishes the rare integration of sophisticated social theory and practical application. It is simultaneously a valuable tool-kit for activists looking for a media strategy, and a navigational map for testing theories of communication against the most rigorous empirical data set of all -- changes in public policy. Within six months of publication, it will become the standard for work in this area." -- Troy Duster, Director, Institute for the Study of Social Change,
University of California, Berkeley and Professor of Sociology, New York University

"This book is a must for every advocate who wants to make a difference. You will find yourself using it again and again and again." -- Karolyn Nunnallee, National President, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, MADD

"You read this book and possibilities replace frustrations, strategies displace handwringing, and successes take off." -- Ralph Nader, Consumer Advocate --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Description

Federal courts order tobacco companies to pay millions of dollars in damages to victims of smoking-related diseases. Liquor advertisements are banned from television and from billboards in school areas. Ten years ago, such legislation would never have passed. What caused the political sentiment to change so quickly?

In this media-driven age, strategic media approaches are vital to achieving visibility, gathering support, and challenging those in positions of power. As News for a Change details, media advocacy is the strategic use of news media, advertising, and community organizing to advance a public policy initiative. This book serves as a blueprint for those wanting to increase the power and effectiveness of their social change efforts.

Here is a guidebook for developing a strategy that combines key elements of social change--research, community organizing, policy development, advocacy, and politics--with the news media. The authors are seasoned activists and not only provide step-by-step instructions for working with media to promote social change, they share their own valuable insights and experiences. News for a Change is a must read for individuals and organizations who want to participate in the public debate and get their message across.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 168 pages
• Publisher: Sage Publications, Inc; 1 edition (June 18, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0761919244
• ISBN-13: 978-0761919247
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #15,061 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #7 in	Books > Business & Investing > Marketing & Sales > Public Relations
  #12 in	Books > Reference > Words & Language > Speech
  #14 in	Books > Reference > Writing > Journalism

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent guide for advocates, March 5, 2002

By A Customer

Larry Wallack, Katie Woodruff and Lori Dorfman are recognized experts in media advocacy. This book was a textbook for my media communications course in a graduate school of public health. I would recommend this book for anyone who would like a better understanding of how to work with the media to support advocacy and policy issues, in any subject area. It incorporates a workbook style, with examples of press releases, letters, etc. It's a how-to for hands-on folks. There are also other books focusing on media advocacy, written by Wallack and Dorfman, that I would highly recommend. But News for a Change is an excellent starting point for anyone who needs the media to cover an advocacy/policy issue.

4.0 out of 5 stars Good solid backgrounder, July 6, 2009

By	wisarc - See all my reviews

This book is old enough that it gives only the barest mention to the influence of Web media, and no tactics related thereto, but the fundamentals the book does teach are applicable on the Web or anywhere. I learned from it.