At the end of this module, trainees…
Technology
Internet
Face-to-face: laptop, boxes, projector / video screen (trainer), laptop, smartphones (trainees)
Online: laptops and smartphones (trainer + trainees), headsets
Materials (face-to-face)
Board/whiteboard, flipchart stand and paper, cards (if available), markers.
Tools (online)
Video conference: Zoom (Back up: WhatsApp)
Visualization: Miroboard, JamBoard (Zoom offers digital whiteboards as well)
Quizzes: Slido, Mentimeter
Communication: WhatsApp, Email
Documentation, shared documents: Google Drive folder
Potential media outlets for your constructive stories (fundamental)
Buzz groups / 40 minutes
Trainees reflect on media outlets for constructive story ideas.
Objectives
Trainees brainstorm on media outlets that could be interested in publishing constructive stories.
Duration
Buzz groups: 20 min.
Discussion: 20 min.
Preparation
Prepare (written) task, and (virtual) board for 2-4 groups – 3 columns: (1) media outlets, (2) potential, (3) challenges
PPT
Group work / Discussion, 40 min.
Divide the trainees into groups of 3-5. Let them discuss outlets or organizations in their region or country that might be interested in constructive stories. What is the potential and where are the challenges they’ll face. The groups present their results, share experiences and discuss the outcome.
What makes a good pitch for a constructive story? (fundamental)
Group work / 1 hour
Trainees identify criteria for good pitches and evaluate given pitches.
Objectives
Trainees identify criteria for a good constructive story pitch, analyze written pitches and suggest how to improve them.
Duration
Group work: 20 min.
Presentation of group work and discussion: 20 min.
Input presentation, Q & A and discussion: 20 min.
Preparation
Search for pitches:
https://docs.google.com/document
PPT
Group work, 20 min.
Divide trainees into two groups. Each group discusses three pitches and decides:
(1) Which ones are acceptable for a constructive format and why?
(2) How can these pitches be improved?
Trainees present and explain their choices (Empathy, trying to understand who the other person really is, trying to connect with other person, etc.) .
Input /Discussion, 20 min.
PPT: Pitching a constructive story
Presentation-PPT_M3-Ch1_Getting-constructive-stories-published, slides 4-8
Pitch writing for a constructive story (fundamental)
Group work / 1 hour
Trainees write pitches in small groups of two or three.
Objectives
Trainees write pitches according to the defined criteria.
Duration
Group work: 20 min.
Presentation of group work and discussion: 20 min.
Input presentation, Q & A and discussion: 20 min.
Preparation
Search for pitches:
www.docs.google.com/document
PPT
Group work, 20 min.
Divide trainees in small groups. Each group writes a pitch for a constructive story.
Depending on time, groups present their pitches to the plenary and they are discussed.
Get decision-makers’ attention for a constructive pitch (fundamental)
Role play / 1 hour
Trainees argue with an editor who is resistant to a constructive journalism approach.
Objectives
Trainees practice techniques and approaches for convincing decision-makers of their story ideas and discuss challenges in pitching stories and different approaches for convincing editors
Duration
Role play: 30 min.
Discussion: 20 min.
Trainer input and discussion : 10 min
Preparation
Visualize the exercise description.
Role play, 20 min.
One person plays the role of the journalist, one person is the editor/decision-maker. The journalist tries to convince a skeptical decision-maker on the merits of the constructive approach and her or her pitch.
Alternatively, you could invite a media editor or media manager to your workshop and enter in the discussion with one or a group of trainees.
If a face-to-face workshop, you could choose people to play the roles and come to the front of the room. Give each person their role, then whisper to the person playing the editor additional information about how he or she might be wary: skeptical about CJ; having a really bad day; used only to breaking news, looking for high click numbers, etc.
The journalist pitches their stories and the constructive approach, and editors make comments/ ask questions based on their priorities and mood. 10 minutes later, roles are shifted.
Discussion, 20 min.
Groups share their experiences as editor/ journalist. Guiding questions:
Write down key ideas on a chart/digital white board.
Input /Discussion, 20 min.
PPT: How to sell constructive stories to editors Presentation-PPT_M3-Ch1_Getting-constructive-stories-published, slides 9-13
Impact of constructive journalism on audiences
Presentation / 15 minutes
Trainees can explain what studies have found regarding the impact of constructive stories.
Objectives
Trainees can describe the results of studies on the impact of constructive journalism.
Duration
Trainer input and discussion: 15 min
Preparation
PPT
Input / Discussion, 15 min.
PPT: Impact of constructive journalism on audiences Presentation-PPT_M3-Ch1_Getting-constructive-stories-published, slides 19-22
Homework
Prepare to convince a decision-maker of the benefits of a constructive approach
Each trainee collects convincing arguments and arguments against the constructive approach (preparation for the session: Get decision-makers’ attention for a constructive pitch).
Write a pitch for your constructive story
If not done in group work during the workshop, each participant writes a pitch for a constructive story and sends it to the trainer for feedback.