Introduction
The Indus Earth Trust’s Media communications, advocacy, and outreach programme is a series of interconnected functions that work together to shape public opinion, influence legislation, and encourage action on specific concerns. The purpose of media communications is to provide information to certain audiences/communities through various channels. Advocacy is the active support for a cause or policy, which is frequently accomplished through strategic communication and stakeholder engagement. Outreach refers to programs that include specific groups or communities in order to raise awareness, get support, and encourage participation. These functions are frequently linked. A media campaign, for example, can be used to promote an advocacy effort, while outreach activities can help to develop a basis of support for both media communications and advocacy.
Media Engagement
Indus Earth believes that good needs to be done, but it also needs to be seen to be done; to inspire, motivate, provide examples of successful models so they can be scaled, and learn lessons from what didn’t work! For this reason IET uses all channels of communications which include, but are not limited to, active engagement on all communication platforms of social media. It maintains a comprehensive data bank of photos and videos plus case studies to showcase its work.
It also expands the linkages through participation of its Board members and management at different forums like seminars, as part of panels, as presenters at conferences, as part of faculty at academic institutions to share experiential learning from the field. It also considers media as an ally and has always taken its members along on exposure visits to field sites and at the launch of its various programmes and projects.
Training on Media and Information literacy for Climate Change
Its relationship with the media also extended to providing those training opportunities through projects like the one launched with the assistance of UNESCO, where media members from across Pakistan were provided training on how to report on Climate Change and environmental issues.
It also maintains detailed project reports that can assist researchers on its websites and has MoUs with some Universities wherein the researchers will be assisted by the IET field team.
Advocacy for Vulnerable communities
To influence public opinion and policy decisions on certain issues/problems. Creating advocacy strategies, communicating with officials, rallying public support, and forming coalitions is part of the way IET functions..
Objectives
- To inform and engage communities through various media channels print, broadcast, online, social media.
- Developing press releases, media kits, social media content, website updates, and managing media relations.
- Running a public awareness campaign to highlight the need for policy change.
- Meeting with elected officials to advocate for specific legislation.
- Develop relationships with local media professionals and keep them engaged.
