Effective Communication
May 24th, 2019
These are just a few of the exchanges provoked by the Toronto Star’s recent publication of a commentary I wrote about the downside of filler phrases. Many of those who responded on Twitter took issue with my apparent ageism. (Although I referenced recent interaction with young people, I also mentioned that the habit isn’t confined to […]
read more...Clear speech advocate writes; Twitter sh*t storm erupts.
Master Media Engagement
January 9th, 2019
Are you a media whore? Or do you worry you might be labeled one by your colleagues – if not to your face, then behind your back? In the process of delivering hundreds of media engagement workshops, I’ve heard dozens and dozens of you express this fear, using precisely this language. You’ve made it clear […]
read more...In praise of academic media sluts – a New Year’s resolution
Master Media Engagement
May 9th, 2016
Chances are, if you’re reading this, you’re in no danger of being characterized as a “rent-a-gob”. That’s the term CBC radio host, Robyn Bresnahan laughingly used last week to describe the expert source who’s willing to talk about anything, regardless of how distant the topic is from his professional background. The women Informed Opinions typically […]
read more...How prepared are you for a live radio or TV interview?
Our Advocacy Work
June 6th, 2014
It’s often seen as a dirty word, and I usually avoid using it. So when Lisa Kimmel, the general manager of Edelman PR agency recently invited me to debate the merits of imposing a gender “quota” on journalists as a means of increasing the number of women quoted in the news, I balked. Even though […]
read more...Why Journalists Should Be Forced to Quote More Women
Improve your Writing
November 8th, 2013
Hanging out with teenagers can be an enlightening experience. Last week, I participated in a panel discussion convened by MediaSmarts, “Canada’s centre for digital and media literacy” and a repository of fabulous resources for teachers, parents and kids. The teenagers present from across Canada asked really smart questions, many of which betrayed both deep scepticism […]
read more...TL;DR – advice to ignore, but implications to heed
Our Advocacy Work
July 6th, 2012
Don’t take my word for it… On the retrograde troll front, I defer to hip hop DJ and vlogger, Jay Smooth, who recently weighed in on the classic, cautionary Internet story involving media critic, Anita Sarkeesian. He offers a compelling and persuasive analysis of an issue I’ve tackled before— but does so from a distinctly male gamer perspective. […]
read more...Deferring to Jay Smooth on trolls
Master Media Engagement
June 4th, 2012
What kinds of experts do journalists turn to most often? Last week in an effort to answer that question, Informed Opinions emailed several hundred editors, producers, hosts, columnists and reporters. Looking to make our experts database more useful – and gain some insights for a conversation we’re having with the Social Sciences and the Humanities […]
read more...What academic disciplines are most in-demand by journalists?
Master Media Engagement
February 22nd, 2012
Should she or shouldn’t she? I was chatting on the phone a few weeks ago with a woman who is listed in our Experts Database. She had written an excellent piece of commentary about First Nations and non-aboriginal Canadians that appeared in the Toronto Star, and was wondering why, since the article appeared at the […]
read more...To Tweet or Not to Tweet…
Improve your Writing and Master Media Engagement
September 19th, 2010
Recently the public editor of the New York Times, Arthur Brisbane wrote about the complaints he gets from readers concerned about the blurring line between opinion and reporting. I share the view that publications should clearly differentiate between content that is intended to neutrally report on events, and articles that reflect the opinions (hopefully, informed […]
read more...Commentary vs Reporting
