Ian Black - Glasgow Media Hub Update

Glasgow Media Hub Update

INTRO

Glasgow Media Hub is an informal network of Christians who are networking across the city and further afield sharing good news stories of Christians making a difference in our city.

This sharing is with a view to bring these stories to the widest possible audience through use of the media.  

The Media Hub allows us to mutually encourage, compare notes and jointly learn.  The Glasgow Media Hub will be key in the further development of a local creative and active Christian community in their media relations.  It is encouraging to see Media Hubs are emerging in many cities across the UK.   

It has become clear that when we begin conversations that the good news stories are numerous! What also becomes apparent is the need for media training and an encouragement to engage so that these stories can be easily shared with and heard by, the media.

 MEDIA TRAINING

A second 'Media Unlocked' media training day was held in International Christian College (ICC) Glasgow in December designed to enable and equip leaders of Christian organisations to tell their story in the media. The day focused on why media involvement is important; spotting storytelling opportunities; and getting your message across.  

9 delegates attended the day in December, adding to the 15 that had attending a similar day in June. From the feedback we received from the training, all greatly valued and appreciated the training that they received.  

A more intensive media training day may be of interest to some and is planned for late May - date to be confirmed - so stay posted to the Evangelical Alliance Scotland website- www.2getherscotland.org for details or email i.black@eauk.org to be kept informed.  

A media press page on the EA Scotland website will be kept up to date by myself, featuring the various press releases and press links to articles

As Press Officer I can either prepare press releases or with training, equip those within the 'hub' to directly engage with the media.

RELATIONSHIPS

Church
Relationship are obviously essential in media and I continue to devote time to meeting people and finding out what was going on across Glasgow. I am also looking to build relationships with more Christian leaders across Glasgow.

Media

The building of a database of media contacts continues which I feel lends well to gaining successes in the coming year. Hopefully the beginning of discussions with those in the media will create a greater understanding of the local scene and hopefully contribute to a greater willingness to report on positive stories

PRESS STORIES

• A press release on the Church and the Credit Crunch at Christmas encouragingly generated some good media interest.
• Another press release was prepared for The Leprosy Mission Scotland asking Scots to give one hour for people suffering with leprosy in 2010
• I am currently working on one with regard to the work the church is involved in with Asylum seekers.

Help: If over the coming year you have a story you feel needs to be told or there is a key contact I need to meet please let me know.  I can be contacted at i.black@eauk.org or 07704 773382