The Common Ground Network for Life and Choice Manual

Appendix 8.1
COMMON GROUND CONFERENCE
MEDIA GUIDELINES
The nature of this conference creates a feeling of vulnerability in many participants because of the nature of the
abortion issue and the usual dynamics of the conflict. The quality of the conference depends in great part on
whether or not we can create a climate of safety for all who are present. For a variety of reasons, the presence of the
press can make people feel inhibited about speaking freely. Therefore we have prepared the following guidelines
for press coverage that we believe balance journalists' needs to cover the conference and participants' needs for a
sense of security.
1) We ask media representatives to attend only the open sessions. This includes all of the plenaries and
roundtables. The current plan is to close all dialogue sessions. These closed sessions are marked in yellow in
the program brochures especially for media. There may be some session changes before the start of the
conference. Please pick up a special press brochure at the registration table that will provide final information
on which sessions are closed and if any sessions are canceled.
2) Session moderators reserve the right to ask the press to leave, should a session become sensitive, and in the
moderator's judgment, require confidentiality. Please respect any such request.
3) In the spirit of this conference, which honors the right of people to not speak, as well as to speak, we ask the
press not to pressure people to express themselves to the press.
4) The ground rules for conference participation create an expectation of confidentiality. Therefore please ask any
participants you might want to quote for specific permission if you intend or wish to use their name. This is not
a consideration for presenters.
5) Active listening--repeating back to the speaker what we thought we heard--is a key ingredient in successful
common ground conversations. We suggest that the press also do this, to make sure that what the person
speaking intended to say was heard by you the way it was meant.
6) Media representatives are asked to have their press badges prominently visible at all times, so that participants
will be aware of press presence.
7) Room 204 at the conference site is available for extended interviews on Friday and Saturday. The Conference
media liaison is XXXX who can be contacted via the registrars.
If you have any questions about the content or purpose of these guidelines prior to the conference please call the
Network for Life and Choice office at (202) 265 4300. During the conference contact XXX with a message at the
registration desk or by calling the Sheraton Hotel.