Every time we turn on our TVs or scroll social media it seems like there’s a new headline, story, or interview impacting our lives. From healthcare to education, national security to the delivery or interruption of public services, the barrage of news can feel chaotic and at times utterly debilitating. We may find ourselves feeling overwhelmed and saying, “there’s so much going on”, questioning what, if anything, we can do about it? Here’s the truth: we are living through a historic season. One of widespread policy changes. However, here’s the second part of that truth: we maintain our ability to influence and affect positive change if we are willing to make an active declaration of our power.
Where to Start? Conduct a Media Audit
The when, where, and how of our news consumption is more important than ever. Staying informed remains critical to understanding the monumental shifts in our policy landscape and our ability to be effective advocates for the causes we care about. Here’s are 3 simple questions to ask yourself when conducting a media audit:
- How often am I consuming news? – There is no one-size-fits-all answer on how much news is the right amount. It will vary based upon our professions and personal propensities. A good rule of thumb: if you find yourself becoming more anxious, nervous, or deregulated (e.g. heightened heart rates and/or blood pressure levels) while consuming news consider consuming less. This may mean removing news apps from your phone or scheduling limited daily or weekly time blocks in your calendar for news.
- When do I consume the most news? – Do you find yourself reaching for your phone or turning on the tv first thing in the morning? Or maybe you begin scrolling after you’ve climbed into bed for the evening. If so, consider giving yourself more time to naturally acclimate to the day and/or wind down by committing to “news-free” hours before coffee and bed.
- What outlets/platforms do I use to consume news? – Exploring this question is critical to ensuring that we have the tools we need to be effective advocates. The expansion of media, and how we consume it, has led to what can seem like an endless buffet of news options. Even so, the basic tenets of what news is (and what the news is not) remain. News should be rooted in fact, unbiased, and delivered with the highest level of journalistic integrity. Think about the platforms you use to consume news. What topics do they cover? Are they fact-based or opinion-driven? Here is a small list of suggested news outlets to get started:
Local
- Mirror Indy: mirrorindy.org
- Indiana Capital Chronicle: https://indianacapitalchronicle.com/
- WFYI: https://www.wfyi.org/
- National:
- NPR: https://www.npr.org/
- International:
- BBC: https://www.bbc.com/
Create an Engagement Plan
Once you’ve armed yourself with the facts, it’s time to let your voice be heard! If lobbying your elected representatives seems overwhelming, don’t worry – advocacy is a spectrum of activities and there are several ways you can engage/deploy your influence for positive change.
Educate: Share facts, resources, and ways to get involved in the issues you care about. Start with your personal sphere of influence (your family, friends, neighbors, social media connections, etc.).
Know your policy stakeholders: Commit to knowing who your local, state, and national elected representatives are and subscribe to their newsletters or email listservs to stay up-to-date on where they stand on the issues and for opportunities to engage.
Join in community with others with similar passions, concerns, and priorities: Care about a specific issue? Find local, state, national, and/or digital communities to join. These are often great places for resource sharing and support. With advocacy there is strength in numbers.
Support Organizations on the Ground
Our ability to affect the most immediate and lasting change remains highest right here in our local community. In this period of funding uncertainty, it is now more important than ever to support local organizations and nonprofits whose missions and work align with your values. A few ways to engage include making a recurring monetary donation, signing up to volunteer, purchasing a fundraiser ticket, signing on to advocacy letters, and/or exploring board service, etc. The key here is alignment: alignment of mission, skill set, and capacity.
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