
 
               _REACTIVE_RESPONSE_AND_PROACTIVE_ENCOUNTER_ 
                       _Dealing_with_the_Media_ 
  
        This is a description of what WindFire Coven does to attract 
    positive media coverage: 
  
        During the latest period of Satanism hysteria the energies 
    were flowing in a negative direction as far as Wicca is concerned. 
    The media loves controversy and knows that to have controversy 
    they must present more than one side of any given issue. 
    Consequently when planning some report that may be negative in 
    context they will go out of their way to present another view of 
    that same issue. 
  
        Reactive Response 
  
        This, of course, is reactive not pro-active in nature. This is 
    how WindFire got the media exposure the last two times. I'll start 
    with the Denver channel first. 
  
        It was a few weeks after File 18 was given to each member of 
    WindFire that we dedicated a full moon ritual for magickal work 
    toward a solution.  WindFire is not structured so every member got 
    to focus their power in their own way toward the solution. The 
    solution was to promote a positive understanding of Wicca in the 
    local mundane communities. 
  
        The very next day, not 24 hours after the ritual, we got a 
    call from channel 7, Denver. They were in the Springs and wanted 
    to talk to some witches about ley lines and power spots.  The two 
    person crew was at Celebration Book Store but the attendant didn't 
    want to be on. Fortunately the store attendant had our number and 
    called us. We talked with the camera crew and arranged an 
    immediate interview. 
  
        Two considerations are important here. The first is that just 
    like any other form of magickal work the magick takes it's own 
    form.  So be ready for anything. And two, when the media calls 
    they usually will not wait around for interviewees. Be prepared 
    for anything, at any moment. When the lightning strikes... 
  
        Channel 7 told us that they were doing the interview to 
    balance out some of the reporting on Satanism, but they didn't 
    stress the fact that the report was about Satanism. Further we 
    didn't know enough to ask what the focus and content was for the 
    report.  Always ask what the focus of the report is.  You may find 
    yourself, just like WindFire, shocked that we are being visually, 
    if not verbally, associated with Satanism. 
  
        For the interview, be positive. I can't stress that enough. 
    Smile and let them see that you are sincere in your faith in the 
    Goddess. Laugh. All the reporters see in Satanism is somber faces, 
    confessing their sins. Let them know that you are happy with your 
    path. Stress the difference between patriarchal monotheism and 
    pre-Christian, pre-Hebrew Goddess religion.  Have your resources 
    ready for the reporter to look at if they need a quote for 
    something. Trot out your tools and instruments if you feel 
    comfortable with that.  They love to see the various tools. You 
    don't have to show them all or any of your tools but it sure helps 
    them get a picture of what is going on. 
  
        The media people like robes so wear your best. Covert groups 
    that have fears about discovery of illegal activities will not don 
    their robes or show their tools. By doing so you show that you are 
    not aligned with covert, illegal, fearful groups. And by 
    disassociation you show that you are doing nothing illegal or 
    dangerous. 
  
        There are three parts of the interview: the preview, the 
    personal interviews and the ritual. In some or perhaps most cases, 
    the ritual can be left out. [Please note that these terms are 
    descriptive of their function, not their technical names. The 
    reporters may have a different technical name for them.] 
  
        The preview is a time for the reporter to get to know the 
    members of the group, circle or coven. They will talk to you for a 
    period of time. For WindFire that was about an hour for each 
    camera crew. Please remember to be civil as a group and not blurt 
    things out all at once. Believe me it's hard not to do that in the 
    excitement. During the preview the reporter will select who they 
    want to interview. 
  
        Personal interviews last about 10 minutes. The reporter will 
    generally select different questions for each interviewee. Be 
    prepared for some hard and personal questions. At the end of the 
    personal interview the reporter will sometimes ask if you have 
    anything particular to say to the public.  Please don't waste this 
    opportunity. Have a personal message ready for the public. 
  
        The ritual can be anything you feel comfortable with. We 
    generally choose a related focus such as increasing understanding 
    in the mundane public. The camera crews seem to like this. Be 
    patient, they may want you to duplicate some particular action for 
    different camera angle. Accommodate them when you can.  We got 
    through a partial ritual before the second camera crew ran out of 
    tape. Don't forget to complete the ritual before them before you 
    let them leave. Be complete. 
  
        Remember that there are generally two people in a camera crew, 
    the reporter and the camera operator. When the reporter is 
    previewing the coven have another witch talk to the camera 
    operator, telling them what the tools are for and what incenses 
    and crystals are used. Be discrete but talk to each and every 
    the camera person thinks you stink you may have visual problems 
    later. Make sure each and every camera crew member goes away with 
    a warm fuzzy feeling. 
  
        Offer them refreshments. They will generally refuse alcohol 
    but water, sodas, coffee and fruit juices are welcomed.  Help the 
    crew as much as they will let you. If they need cables or 
    furniture moved, do so. 
  
        Now for Channel 13 in Colorado Springs.  This reporter was 
    doing a report on Satanism alone. Unfortunately the ONLY resource 
    she had was James McCarthy in Boulder. The reporter used the "S" 
    word, the "W" word and the "P" word all in the same sentence 
    without differentiating between the three. Admittedly the context 
    of the sentence was ritual. Still no differentiation was made. We 
    started a telephone campaign and had about 15 people call the 
    newsroom at the station and complain. 
  
        Here it is especially good to not bitch unless you have a 
    solution. If you complain to a reporter do not leave them hanging 
    with no way to clean up the mess. Talk to them, give them your 
    phone number so they can call you back later. They are busy 
    people. Try to make sure they can successfully reach you, not your 
    children, not your message machine, not your dog. If you give them 
    your number and they don't call you back, call them. Find out what 
    the problem is. 
  
        During the phone campaign we left the reporter numerous ways 
    to contact us.  She did and we scheduled a time for the 
    interviews. We scheduled it for our regular weekly meeting time so 
    that all the members could be there and a generic ritual could be 
    filmed.  Members who didn't want to be on film were situated so 
    that their faces were not on camera. The camera crew will do this 
    for you. They don't want to inadvertently expose unwilling and 
    innocent people to possible harassment. 
  
        On the appointed day the camera crew showed up fashionably 
    late. We went through our usually horror story about being 
    butchered by the media in the past and they (both crews) were 
    sympathetic to our concerns.  Don't be afraid to stress how badly 
    the media has treated witches, but don't bore them; everyone has a 
    story to tell but boredom is out these days. 
  
        Let them see a generic ritual with a generic focus. The 
    immediate focus was understanding in the local community. That 
    works well so you might want to try that with your group or coven. 
    It impresses the camera crew so that they will be a little more 
    interested. 
  
        Proactive Encounter 
  
        Proactive means acting before something happens and puts you 
    in reactive response mode. 
  
        Perhaps the best thing to do is to put together a packet that 
    you can send to your local media: Tv. stations, radio stations, 
    and newspapers, which also include your local neighborhood 
    weeklies if you're brave enough. 
  
        Send a well put together packet to these medias and be sure 
    they can get in touch with you on a few days notice. You might 
    have more than one contact for your group, circle or coven. 
    WindFire has three or four. 
  
        I suggest for this packet that you include three or four brief 
    statements from willing coven members, a longer essay on Wicca 
    with resources, the New Woman article, some artwork and poetry. 
    Include also a reading list of your favorite Wiccan authors. Be 
    sure to include names and numbers to call back.  While the 
    reporters won't read everything they will probably read the brief 
    statements from your coven members and look at the reading list. 
    You might suggest book stores the reporters can find the reading 
    list books at. 
  
        The main time of the year for reactive procedures is 
    Halloween. Funnymentalist just love to hammer us during Samhain. 
    So be proactive and let the media know how you view Samhain. Send 
    the media an article about Samhain about two weeks before. Let 
    them know that there are other views and that the funnymentalist 
    are slandering a perfectly good holiday. 
  
        In fact you could emphasize any holiday/s that seems 
    appropriate for your area or group. Include your resources and/or 
    xerox copies of other articles you may find, with copyright if 
    needed, on any holiday you deem appropriate. 
  
        Reactive Response Summary 
  
        Be prepared to act at any moment if they should call you. Be 
    positive, smile and laugh a lot.  Talk to all the camera crew 
    members. Let them know your concerns, stress the problems of the 
    past but don't offend the media people.  Make it a magickal time 
    for all the people involved including the camera crews. Remember 
    to augment your mundane activity (interviews) before hand with 
    magickal work. 
  
        Proactive Encounter Summary 
  
        Prepare a good information packet. Sound like you know what 
    you are talking about. Don't be mousey. Be aggressive and call 
    them if you feel the need.  Make sure they can return a call to 
    you successfully. If you get an interview be positive and firm. 
    Media people are strong people, they like other strong people. Be 
    prepared to act at any moment when they call you.  Devote some 
    personal and collective magickal time for magickal work to attract 
    positive media attention. 
  
        I'm sure that you will be challenged by the opportunities your 
    magick will bring you.  The Goddess will bring your efforts to 
    full fruit if you are ready to support Her when the time comes. 
    It's not an overused saying to state that we should be prepared 
    for the effects of our own magick. 
 
        AN UPDATE OF IMMEDIATE CONCERN 
         
        Just before Halloween Channels 5/30 in Colorado Springs 
    interviewed WindFire Coven in the pro-active mode. The reporter 
    was concerned that her boss wanted a sensationalized segment on 
    witches to go with segments on Satanism and various local New Age 
    groups and psychics. She told us that she would try to talk her 
    boss out of sensationalizing the segment. No guarantees were given 
    and we accepted her word that she would try her best to represent 
    us fairly. WindFire Coven was filmed for four or five hours for 
    the 3 minute segment and some promotional footage. 
         
        Some problems arose in the promotionals and broadcast that we 
    didn't anticipate. 
         
        In the promotionals various members were visually associated 
    with Satanism by default, that is, Wiccans and Satanists were 
    shown together in the same promo without distinction. This caused 
    quite a lot of concern when clients and associates of those 
    involved either refused to speak to the involved or blamed them 
    for some unspecified hardship in their lives.  To complicate the 
    matter one members face was overdubbed with a hags cackling.  This 
    hurt the member greatly as she is nothing like the voice 
    indicated. 
         
        MAKE SURE THAT YOUR PROMO IS YOUR OWN WITH NO VISUAL 
    ASSOCIATION TO ANY OTHER SEGMENT WITHOUT YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND 
    PERMISSION. MAKE SURE THAT YOUR MEMBERS FACES AND VOICES REMAIN 
    INTACT THROUGH THE PROMO AND BROADCAST. GET IT IN WRITING UNLESS 
    YOU ARE WILLING TO SEE THIS HAPPEN TO YOUR COVEN. REFUSE THE 
    INTERVIEW IF NECESSARY. 
         
        During the broadcast and promos various tools, icons and 
    artifacts, including a piece of copyrighted artwork, were used in 
    others segments without our permission. 
         
        MAKE SURE THAT YOUR TOOLS, ICONS, ARTIFACTS AND ARTWORK ARE 
    NOT USED IN ANOTHER CONTEXT WITHOUT YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND PERMISSION. 
    GET IT IN WRITING UNLESS YOU ARE WILLING TO SEE YOUR TOOLS, ICONS, 
    ARTIFACTS AND ARTWORK PROFANED BY USE IN AN INAPPROPRIATE CONTEXT. 
         
        Another problem arose when the editors inserted a Christian 
    into our segment who said that Wicca was inappropriate because it 
    is not Christian. When asked why such was done the reporter 
    replied that it is good journalistic practice to offer two sides 
    of an issue. WindFire Coven feels that should a contemporary 
    religion be represented, such as the Jewish or the Mormon faith, 
    the station would not be as quick to put in dissenting views. We 
    feel that Channels 5/30 leaned toward promoting the stereotypical 
    image of witches by having a Christian define what we are and are 
    not. Such cannot be allowed to continue any longer. 
         
        MAKE SURE THAT YOUR SEGMENT IS YOURS AND YOURS ALONE. DO NOT 
    ALLOW THE EDITORS TO INSERT DISSENTING VIEWS IN YOUR SEGMENT. 
    DISSENTING VIEWS CAN BE PRESENTED IN ANOTHER SEGMENT DEDICATED 
    ENTIRELY FOR DISCUSSION OF DIFFERENCES. MAKE SURE THAT WICCA IS 
    REPRESENTED BY WICCANS, NOT BY CHRISTIANS, NOT BY NEW AGERS, NOT 
    BY LOCAL PSYCHICS. TAKE CONTROL OF THE INTERVIEW BEFORE IT TAKES 
    CONTROL OF YOUR COVEN. 
         
        Blessed Be! 
  
        Copyright (c) Ammond Shadowcraft Oct. 1988 
 
        -------- 
        This is an sample form to be used when reporters come to your 
    home to interview your circle or coven. 
     
        -------- 
   WRITTEN AGREEMENTS AND GUARANTEES FOR INTERVIEW WITH WINDFIRE COVEN 
                    Dated: ________________________ 
  
        Note: For the purpose of this Agreement WindFire Coven is 
    termed the Interviewee and ______________________ is termed the 
    Interviewer. 
                 
         
        The Interviewee agrees to accept reporters from the 
    Interviewer into their homes and/or sacred space to witness and 
    report seasonal and/or generic rituals, to photograph and film 
    tools, icons, artifacts, artwork, poetry and songs, to interview 
    the Coven and individual members, for a period not to exceed 24 
    hours, providing that the following agreements are made: 
 
         
        The Interviewer will employ the usable or airable video 
    footage filmed, photographs and/or recordings of/during this 
    interview for any segment and/or report as a singular complete 
    segment and/or report and in such a way as to retain the original 
    context and atmosphere intended by the Interviewee.  No other 
    individuals, religious faiths and/or religious groups will be 
    included in this segment/report without the express permission of 
    the Interviewee. 
         
 
        The Interviewer will employ the usable or airable video 
    footage filmed, photographs and/or recordings of/during this 
    interview for any promotion as a singular complete promotion and 
    in such a way as to retain the original context and atmosphere 
    intended by the Interviewee. No other individuals, religious 
    faiths and/or religious groups will be included in this promotion 
    without the express permission of the Interviewee. 
                         
        The Interviewer will treat all persons, tools, icons, 
    artifacts, artwork, poetry and music filmed, photographed or 
    recorded as integral parts of the interview and will not use any 
    cassette, video or photographic representations of these 
    persons/items in any other context or external segment, report or 
    promotion without the express permission of the Interviewee. 
         
        
    ____________________________________________________ 
    For WINDFIRE COVEN                     (Interviewee) 
         
         
    ____________________________________________________ 
    For __________________________________ (Interviewer) 
 
         
    ____________________________________________________ 
    Witness 
         
         
    ____________________________________________________ 
    Witness 
         
         
    ____________________________________________________ 
    Witness 
 
bed with a hags cackling.  This 
    hurt the member greatly as she is noth