ACOSS NGO Media Forum - A Communication Must
20 March 2012 at 10:00 am
A big turn out is expected for the 2nd ACOSS NGO Media Forum in Sydney next week as part of the ACOSS Annual Conference.
“There is overwhelming demand from media and communications professionals in the sector for this kind of dialogue between Australia’s vital Not for Profit sector and working journalists from our principle media outlets," says ACOSS Media Communications Coordinator, Fernando de Freitas.
“We’ve given this year’s forum the title: Stories that matter in a changing media landscape to reflect the central focus of Australia's vital third sector, learning to adapt to a new media environment as it tries to get stories told and find new ways to tell its own narratives.
“We’ve divided the day up into two parts. The first looking at how the media covers social affairs issues and in turn how the community sector can better work with journalists and take advantage of new media tools to get stories covered as well as tell their own stories.
“And the second part focuses on effective campaigning – looking at what works and what doesn’t and the new movement to coalition campaigning, where a number of groups work together to the same end.
“It promises to be an extremely informative and fun day, and I’m sure most people will take something positive away with them that will greatly benefit them in their daily work.”
It brings together working journalists from mainstream and new media outlets in Australia, with professionals from the wider community sector, and government officials – to dissect how they are each adapting to a changing environment.
“We explore the new tools and spaces opening up with the Internet and social media, and ponder the pitfalls and opportunities for the journalistic profession and the community sector.
Join Walkley award winners ABC reporters Sarah Ferguson, Suzanne Smith and Trent Dalton (Courier Mail), Sydney Morning Herald's Adele Horin, The Punch Editor David Penberthy – co hosted by Wendy Bacon and Tom Morton from the Centre for Independent Journalism.
“Last year's inaugural forum was a great success and we're aiming to extend the opportunities to share ideas and strategies with a whole day event on Wednesday March 28th 2012, in Sydney,” said de Freitas.
Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan will open the 2012 ACOSS National Conference in Sydney next week.
Swan is set to present the Commonwealth Government's vision for improving equity and fairness in Australia.
ACOSS, the peak body for Australia's community and social services sector, is hosting its 2012 National Conference in Sydney on March 29-30, 2012 with the theme Sharing the Wealth of the Lucky Country.
ACOSS says the conference is the premier national event for policy-makers, researchers and those engaged in social services and advocacy.
