Uncovered: assessing media and communications needs ... - ICAR

There was a fear amongst faith groups of being misrepresented and ignorance of the ‘rules ofengagement’ when working with the media. One representative said he felt safe within his own faithcommunity and nervous about the implications of raising the issue of its relationship with the widersociety.Muslim interviewees agreed that they had once shared that view but events on September 11th2001 had changed everything and they now recognised the value of engaging with the media. Onespokesperson for an Islamic organisation professed himself a regular contributor to local press andbroadcast outlets and suggested other faiths might have much to learn from his own.Representatives from isolated rural groups recognised the potential benefi ts of media engagement,and some had produced their own news releases. They complained however that the paperswere not paying them attention and expressed frustration at not being able to get recognition fromjournalists.Fig 4.3.6 Media exposureMost organisations surveyed have been mentioned in the media. Those who know how to contactand have had contact with the media are more likely to have been mentioned in it. Refugees andmigrants are least likely and rural groups the most likely to have received media coverage.3.7 Satisfaction with current media coverageMost organisations are dissatisfi ed with the media coverage they receive. This is felt especiallyamongst refugee and migrant worker and faith organisations and may relate to the perceived bias ofthe media against these groups.There are broader issues here such as anti-refugee/migrant sentiment that might not be addressedsimply through training or strategy and these wider issues are considered elsewhere in this report.However this also reinforces the importance of creating a public relations strategy.Uncovered: assessing media and communications needs and capacity of marginalised communities21