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Let's make the news

Roswell

Good afternoon everyone! Are you struggling at the moment? I know I am! I need to move SO urgently and there are just so many barriers.

There are many people here who are in desperate need for a better home to live in, or justice for something wrong that's happened to them, or help with their career or relationship, etc. And each of us, even if we think we are fully secure and successful, is not as far from being vulnerable as we think.

So I think it's time to start organising. We need to have our own media platform to educate people about Autism and give our side of the story. The National Autistic Society is an organisation we're lucky to have in the UK, they've done a lot to advance awareness of Autism.

However, being a charity it's not within their power to become a media organisation. So it's up to Autistic people ourselves to create that media. I suggest we build something on Twitter which is where most the younger generations are going for news and interaction now. 

It would involve putting videos out on Twitter where commentators on the media platform discuss whatever are the issues of the day, from housing to employment, to relationships, to justice and fair treatment in the education and health system. 

Why would this make a difference? Almost every Autistic person on Twitter would want to follow this media platform. Also the more enlightened NTs would too, our partners, parents, children, friends, forward-thinking professionals. 

In time, platforms like this can build a presence and change society. Commentators can get a spot on mainstream news channels or organise collective action to bring about change.

Is anyone here good with video creation and editing? Anyone know about public relations? Anyone keen on writing and arguing in debates? Or any video bloggers?

Can we make a better life for ourselves? I think we can.

  • in reply to Exhibit A

    Confused please explain?

  • Sounds like a great idea. I'd actually suggest a website, so that even if it doesn't get media 'traction' at first, you have people's testimony and concerns available as a resource (video or text or whatever people prefer). Twitter is very ephemeral, combining the news cycle with personal comments: it largely follows what the mainstream media think is newsworthy.

    Then maybe find some freelance journalists who might be interested in linking personal stories to public policy, or hop on any report that may be current.

    Not that I've managed to do this myself ever! Just my 2p's worth.

  • This is one of my goals in learning to use social media. One thing I've realised in researching is that a lot of others are working on similar things, and that number is growing. I've got a lot of issues to sort out before I can really work well with others on this, but working on it.

  • Mouse you should reach out to Disabilityartsonline who have a growing platform and ask them for advice on this idea. 

  • in reply to Roswell

    I understand, believe me I do. I just know a few of us are at low capacity at the moment. Maybe in a few months for me

  • in reply to NAS65871

    Good point. It would be better if the media organisation that's created has a website of its too. That way if any website like Twitter it broadcasts on does change the goalposts or goes down, then content is still secure. However I don't think there's anything wrong with putting the media over Twitter since it's a popular platform and the aim is to reach people. 

    Maybe it is harder than I think to get something like this done but there are Autistic people with a lot of money who could chip in. I read a while ago about Bill Gross.

    https://www.investmentnews.com/bill-gross-explains-why-being-an-asperger-made-him-a-better-investor-78407

    If we can convince people like that of the case for it, they may be willing to give funding to set it all up.

  • If you use twitter and then they move the goal posts - you can’t do anything about it. 

    Trump - the American President is controlled by twitter. They own him. 

    The only way to do it is to start a platform that you own. 

    On the money thing - it would take LOADS of time and effort. Like all day long - constantly. Even at night time.

    I already run my business on my own platform and also use another large platform. To keep things going it’s literally 24/7 365 days per year. 

    If I take a day off - rumours start swirling about - Going Bust, retiring, heart attack, suicide. Then I start getting loads of messages from strangers asking - “are you ok?” - “I’m worried about you” etc etc. Then if I don’t reply - I’ve died. Lol

    Even if someone tries to contact me at 3am and I don’t reply - that’s considered slack on my part ThinkingFace palm tone1‍

  • in reply to Midlands Monkey

    I totally agree with you a media and PR strategy is needed. I don't think so much money is, though. Money has to be thrown at traditional newspapers and TV media because they send reporters around in vehicles around the world. An online media like the one I'm proposing can ask for donations from people watching. It can be as simple as someone setting up a video camera, sitting in front of it and speaking about things that have been on the TV news, and cutting in their own comments on it.

    Have I Got News For You is an example of how something simple can be successful. It's basically just a few people making comments on the week's news with clips and newspaper cuttings but at one time was attracting over 7 million viewers. 

    But I'm sure you know more than me about some things due to your job, so I may be being a little bright eyed and bushy tailed. Still, my gut feeling is this can be done.

  • in reply to Plastic

    I take on board your point we get screwed at PIP interviews. The thing is though if Autistic people had our own media we would choose who to invite on to interview, so at least on that platform we can make sure we're not manipulated.

  • I have a senior role in comms in a large org. Just a word of caution; you can't be haphazard about something like this - it requires strategic thinking and planning. A media and PR strategy that has strong organisation behind it. And money! News is basically repackaged PR these days. Simply throwing a few things at the wall and hoping it will stick isn't going to work, especially in the current environment. Don't want to burst anybody's bubble but it's a lot harder than it looks!

  • This subject comes up occasionally on here - the big problem is our inability to play the social game and most of us would be screwed in an interview with a skilled, manipulative presenter.      All the same reasons we get screwed at PIP interviews - we're bad at that type of thing.

  • in reply to mouse2

    It's nice to hear from you mouse2. The chaos in the world is part of why I think we need to get this going. Who knows what's coming next? The Coronavirus has changed almost everything. If there are sudden changes in society, I want to know us Autistic people have a voice

  • Oh Roswell. Good idea just not atm so much going on the worlds insane! I think alot of us are stressed past the max right now. Hope your doing well in general however. You seem upbeat