LOS ANGELES — Free Speech Coalition (FSC) will host a free online media training workshop on Thursday Dec. 9 at 11 a.m. (PST).
The session, led by FSC Director of Public Affairs Mike Stabile, is designed to help "demystify the process of speaking with mainstream press, with a focus on protecting yourself and your story," a rep explained.
Topics of discussion will include:
- How to reach out to a journalist effectively
- How to negotiate the terms of an interview
- How to best protect one's legal name and identity
- How to speak off-the-record
- How to deal with a negative or malicious interview
“Many in our community are intimidated when speaking with journalists, and with good reason,” said Stabile. “People fear being outed, having their words twisted or being treated disrespectfully. However, by knowing some of the simple, unspoken rules governing press interactions, sex workers and others in our industry can protect themselves while harnessing the power of the media to amplify their stories.”
In his position at FSC, Stabile regularly speaks with national and international publications, including print, television, radio and documentary film, on issues related to porn, sexuality, and sex work. He has written about the industry for the New York Times, Daily Beast, Huffington Post, Playboy and Buzzfeed, and has directed two documentary films.
“If we’re going to win the current War on Porn, we need to train as many people as possible to engage with the media effectively," Stabile noted. "This workshop, and others that will follow, is geared at creating a powerful, diverse, informed array of voices, trained to fight back in the press against banking discrimination, bad legislation, religious censorship and the broader battle against sex."
Click here to register for the workshop. Follow FSC online and on Twitter.
