Participation Type
Roundtable
Session Title
Session 4.16 Stereotypes
Session Abstract or Summary
Ever see media coverage about your region of Appalachia, and feel your blood boil? Don’t rage against the machine; stock your toolbox with skills that keep your region/program/institution/values from getting misrepresented in the first place—and pick up a couple of pointers on how to respond when they do. Best practice suggestions will combine with from-the-floor stories to present proven ways to develop and maintain a relationship with appropriate media correspondents; to handle sudden unexpected phone calls from media personnel; and to build gentle, yet memorable, coping strategies for coverage gone bad—be it personal or perspective on your larger region. You’ll leave this roundtable with new weapons and honed skills.
Presentation #1 Title
What Would You Do? Wit and Wisdom on Avoiding Media Stereotyping while Cultivating Coverage
Presentation #1 Abstract or Summary
Ever see media coverage about your region of Appalachia, and feel your blood boil? Don’t rage against the machine; stock your toolbox with skills that keep your region/program/institution/values from getting misrepresented in the first place—and pick up a couple of pointers on how to respond when if they do. Best practice suggestions combine with from-the-floor stories to present proven ways to develop and maintain a relationship with appropriate media correspondents; to handle sudden unexpected phone calls from media personnel; and to build gentle, yet memorable, coping strategies for coverage gone bad—be it personal or perspective on your larger region. You’ll leave this roundtable with new weapons and honed skills.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #1
Beth O’Connor has had the opportunity to work at a camp for persons with disabilities, a county health department and a small town transit service. Since 2005 she has served as the Executive Director of the Virginia Rural Health Association. A dedicated advocate, she is the immediate past chair of the NRHA Government Affairs Committee and current chair of the NRHA State Association Council.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #2
Jody Hershey is West Piedmont Health District Director in Virginia and past New River Valley Health District Director. In both of these positions, he has fielded numerous unexpected phone calls from the press and handled many crises of communications.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #3
Wendy Welch is the editor of Public Health in Appalachia and author of The Little Bookstore of Big Stone Gap. She directs the Graduate Medical Education Consortium at UVA Wise and with her Scots native husband opens and operates a second-hand books shop. As a former reporter, she’s looked at Appalachian stereotypes from both sides now.
What Would You Do? Wit and Wisdom on Avoiding Media Stereotyping while Cultivating Coverage
Ever see media coverage about your region of Appalachia, and feel your blood boil? Don’t rage against the machine; stock your toolbox with skills that keep your region/program/institution/values from getting misrepresented in the first place—and pick up a couple of pointers on how to respond when if they do. Best practice suggestions combine with from-the-floor stories to present proven ways to develop and maintain a relationship with appropriate media correspondents; to handle sudden unexpected phone calls from media personnel; and to build gentle, yet memorable, coping strategies for coverage gone bad—be it personal or perspective on your larger region. You’ll leave this roundtable with new weapons and honed skills.
