Dear all

As promised I wanted to follow up about the Daily Mail story last week and the need for the Chapter to be able to call on volunteers who would feel comfortable talking to the media on behalf of the community. Thanks to David Gerard for initiating this discussion on the list. 

In the past the charity has offered media training for volunteers, and whilst we haven't budgeted for this in the current year it's certainly something to think about again in future. I attended CIPR's Media Handling and Crisis Communications course earlier this week (with a free place courtesy of Alastair McCapra) which I found extremely useful. As it happens, I contacted six or seven people about the Newsnight request last Thursday, but for various reasons we weren't able to provide a volunteer to talk to the BBC...In several cases this was because the editor concerned didn't agree with the decision, and so could potentially defend the process but not the outcome. There will doubtless always be circumstances in which a volunteer doesn't want to speak to the media about a particular story, or is unable to do so because of work, travel, location etc; hence the need for a 'stable' of people who can do this (sorry, I can't think of a more appropriate collective noun!) 

Either John or I will be in touch with those of you who have a) responded to David's message about media spokespeople in the past few days or b) are already on our radar as potential spokespeople, to create an up-to-date list of names and contact details. Please feel free to add your name to this list by replying to this message or dropping me and/or John Lubbock an email. 

With thanks and best

Lucy

--

Lucy Crompton-Reid

Chief Executive

Wikimedia UK

+44 (0) 207 065 0991

 

Wikimedia UK is a Company Limited by Guarantee registered in England and Wales, Registered No. 6741827. Registered Charity No.1144513. Registered Office 4th Floor, Development House, 56-64 Leonard Street, London EC2A 4LT.

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