The Media can be a very useful tool in getting the message across to people. However, not everybody in the media has your interests at heart. Below are a few tips and suggestions when using the media.
Newspapers can sometimes be useful but be careful. Certain members of the press are looking for stories to make a name for themselves, and all newspapers are in the business of making money so may use your story to suit themselves.
There are several things you can do. You can talk to them directly. This is the most risky. If speaking to a local newspaper, the majority of times they will report a story and that will be the end of the situation. Occasionally, a national newspaper may see the story and due to a lack of other news may pick up on it. In the twenty first century this is very rare but you should be aware that it can happen. Some newspapers allow its readers to write a column on a topic of their choice. This can be a good way of getting your point across from your own point of view. Other methods of getting your point across include using the letters pages. You have to provide your name and address but you can ask the newspaper not to publish them and most newspapers will respect your privacy if that is what you desire. Letters may be edited so be careful about the way you express yourself. Always respond to letters attacking transpeople in any way. Don't use anger in your reply but use it as an opportunity to educate the person or people who wrote the anti messages. Also try and persuade the press to use the term transperson rather than transsexual person as this reduces part of the sensationalism of stories involving transpeople.
You must never claim that you are representing every transperson. If you write to the press try to ensure that they are fully aware that it is your own personal opinion. If they want facts and figure and you do not have them to hand, you may refer them to TransActive-UK. Never be agressive no matter what. There is nothing worse than giving the press a story where there was none before. Some journalists actually take pleasure from upsetting minorities so don't give them the opportunity. Always be polite. If somebody from the press attempts to interview you and you do not wish to be interviewed, make no comment and ask your family and friends to make no comment either. If a journalist has no quotes, it is more difficult to make a story. No Comment means nothing at all - not a word.
News programmes are often more sympathetic than talk shows. Talk shows like to sensationalise and appear to be extensions of certain members of the press. Be warned. If you do not pass fully then you may open yourself to ridicule and may reinforce the stereotype if MTF, that transpeople are men in dresses. Don't allow yourself to be used in this way. If every member of a studio audience was a pretty transwoman or a masculine looking transman the TV companies have the choice of concentrating on the facts or dropping the subect altogether. They will not be able to treat transpeople as some kind of freakshow for the voyeur's pleasure. Remember. Like the press, the television companies often seek ratings and the more people who watch sensationalist TV programmes, the more advertising they get. When transpeople are shown in a bad light, it should always be challenged with the makers of the TV programme and the broadcasting company, and if necessary, with the regulators. With documentaries, ensure you know what will happen, about the fact that you may be edited or shown out of context, and be aware that the camera's are there.
Be Confident. Know what is fact and what is not. Don't try to answer any questions that you are not sure of the answer of. Don't walk into any traps and give the answers an interviewer wants you to give if it is not what you want to say. Take Control.
Radio is television without pictures. You have a degree of anonyminity because people do not have visual clues. Be warned, News and talk programmes tend to have a sharper edge and questions may be more devious. Like television, some programmes may be edited. Be aware of this and try not to leave opportunities for editing out of context. It's not always possible so be aware of this.
The simple answer is that some are, and some are not. Like other media they may have different agenda's. Try to find out what they want and whether it is right for you. Do not say anything that you do not want to say and keep notes. Notes are essential if they misquote you out of context. Some magazines pay a fee, make sure you ask for it but be aware that they may want photographs and that may breach your previous anonyminity.
Use the media wisely because it will use you anyway it can.