Media Advocacy in Clinical Teaching: Reclaiming Client Narratives in a Time of Polarization

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Session Type: Concurrent Sessions

Session Capacity: N/A

Location: N/A

Room: Franciscan B

Floor: Ballroom Level

This concurrent session will focus on the use of media in clinical legal advocacy. Given the current debate about fake news, alternative facts, and media misinformation, along with daily attacks on our legal institutions, it is becoming increasingly important to use media as a tool in legal advocacy to reclaim client narratives and reframe policy debates in areas that impact our clients’ lives. However, many clinicians lack media expertise and face challenges in integrating students into media campaigns. As well, students often struggle to effectively frame their cases/causes for particular audiences. Using a case scenario, this session will explore how to craft messages appropriate for various types of media, and provide participants with concrete strategies and materials for teaching media advocacy and messaging that can be applied in a variety of clinics. Panelists will share in-class exercises, segments of syllabi on media advocacy, articles on client-centered media advocacy, and examples of press materials.