“FIT FOR APPEARANCES IN THE ELECTRONIC MEDIA”

The Friedrich Naumann Foundation recently invited Mr. Wolfgang Gollub, a professional trainer specialising on individually tailored training programmes in media, communication and presentation from Germany, to conduct the third media training programme “Fit for Appearances in the Electronic Media” for political representatives of both the ruling coalition and the opposition parties as well as partner organizations including Sisters in Islam, ERA Consumers and the Federation of Malaysian Consumer Association from 8 – 19 July 2005 in Hotel Istana, Kuala Lumpur.

“Fit for Appearances in the Electronic Media” is a combination of intensive small group training sessions with camera exercises and individual coaching on breathing, speaking and posture. The suitable number of participant is around 10 – 12 per group. The training session aims to equip political representatives and members of civil society organisations with highly intensive realistic and practice-oriented exercises as well as well-balanced and successful communication skills with the media.

The structure of the training programme included: self-introduction of each participant, structure of statements, interview in various situations, speaking from manuscript, taking part in studio discussion and talk show, press conference, “Hot Chair” and an outdoor live interview. The most important technique is to have eye contact, a powerful voice and some gestures while speaking.

All groups of participants were highly motivated and actively participated. They feel that the training was fun and they have learned a lot from the course. The small number of participants has given efficient space and time for each participant to actually practice and improve performance within two-day. They also said that all the techniques and tips regarding the position of a camera as well as a body posture given by Mr. Gollub are useful for them. The training and exercises have helped to improve their performances particularly when compared to the first exercise they practiced with the self-introduction. They were nervous and did not know what to do with the hands, how to stand well and with the head upright. With a proper training and a lot of exercises in front of a camera for about 10 times for each individual, on the second they found themselves engaged in the talk show and various kinds of interviews. This is not surprising since at the end of the two-day training, the participants of each group would have a common question: “how come we have managed to improve our performances in front of a camera for only two-day of practice.”

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