The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) will host a “media training” workshop on Thursday, December 9, 2021 at 11 am for those in the adult community interested in learning to engage with mainstream media. The session, led by FSC Director of Public Affairs Mike Stabile, aims to demystify the process of speaking with mainstream press with “the goal of empowering more in our community to speak more confidently with mainstream media” and a focus on protecting community members and their stories.

“Many in our community are intimidated when speaking with journalists, and with good reason,” said Stabile. “People fear being outed, having their words twisted or being treated disrespectfully. However, by knowing some of the simple, unspoken rules governing press interactions, sex workers and others in our industry can protect themselves while harnessing the power of the media to amplify their stories.”

The workshop will feature a wide array of topics, including:

— How to reach out to a journalist effectively

— How to negotiate the terms of an interview

— How to best protect your legal name and identity

— How to speak off-the-record

— How to deal with a negative or malicious interview

Prior to joining FSC, Stabile worked in both mainstream and alternative media. He has written extensively about the industry for publications including the New York Times, Daily Beast, Huffington Post, Playboy and Buzzfeed, and is the director of two documentary films. In his position at FSC, Stabile regularly speaks with national and international publications, including print, television, radio, and documentary film, on issues related to porn, sexuality, and sex work.

“If we’re going to win the current War on Porn, we need to train as many people as possible to engage with the media effectively,” Stabile added. “This workshop, and others that will follow, is geared at creating a powerful, diverse, informed array of voices, trained to fight back in the press against banking discrimination, bad legislation, religious censorship and the broader battle against sex.”

Register for “Media Training for the Adult Industry” here.