by: Pamela Mejia and Rachel Weidinger and Heather Gehlert
posted on Thursday, March 05, 2026
Amid rising attacks on racial justice and democratic norms, many communicators and organizers are struggling with what to say, how to say it, and when to speak. A new decision-making tool from Berkeley Media Studies Group and Narrative Initiative offers guidance for navigating that uncertainty and making clearer, more confident narrative choices.
Tags: narrative change, racial justice, strategic communication
by: Heather Gehlert
posted on Thursday, November 13, 2025
Marshawn Kneeland’s tragic death has captured national attention, yet most news coverage is missing the opportunity to highlight a broader crisis that rarely makes headlines: suicide by firearm. To truly honor his life, we must break the silence around suicide and talk openly about how to prevent future tragedies.
Tags: media analysis, stigma, suicide prevention
by: Lunden Mason and Heather Gehlert
posted on Monday, January 27, 2025
In 2020, amid a global pandemic and a national reckoning with deeply rooted racism and white supremacy, more and more communities began to make formal declarations that racism is a public health crisis. How were these declarations portrayed in news coverage, and what are the implications for advocates? Newly published research from BMSG and The Praxis Project answers these and other questions. Additionally, this Q&A with the study’s lead author, BMSG media researcher Hina Mahmood, sheds further light on the inspiration behind the research and potential next steps for journalists and advocates.
by: Heather Gehlert
posted on Tuesday, October 22, 2024
Our sessions for APHA 2024 will equip advocates to communicate about difficult topics like the intersection of domestic violence and firearms, and the problematic narratives that have mischaracterized parks and green space as nice bonuses rather than as essential parts of a healthy community.
Tags: apha, health equity, media analysis, public health
by: Heather Gehlert
posted on Wednesday, August 23, 2023
BMSG research over three decades has found that both solutions and authentic voices — people who have experienced an issue firsthand — are underrepresented in coverage of public health issues. Our research since the start of the pandemic has revealed another nuance: When authentic voices are included, they tend to be cast as victims, rather than agents of change.
by: Heather Gehlert and Lori Dorfman
posted on Wednesday, July 12, 2023
The Supreme Court’s recent decisions to to dismantle affirmative action, reduce civil rights for LGBTQ+ individuals, and uphold financial obstacles that make it harder for people to attend college reinforce the need for long-term narrative change. What would it look like to build narrative power in support of public health values? The history of tobacco control offers clues.
Tags: media advocacy, narrative change, narrative power, public health
by: Heather Gehlert
posted on Thursday, May 04, 2023
During the pandemic, news coverage of food assistance became less stigmatizing. But, as the COVID emergency ends and hunger-related benefits expire under the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service, will shame return to the conversation? Or will our public narratives continue to support those in greatest need?
Tags: food assistance, hunger, media analysis, news analysis, snap
by: Heather Gehlert
posted on Monday, December 05, 2022
What does the current culture shift mean for the people and campaigns that rely heavily on Twitter to build their base and reach decision-makers or community residents? Should organizers leave the platform? If so, does that hurt or potentially help the power of Musk’s digital wrecking ball?
by: Heather Gehlert and Katherine Schaff
posted on Friday, December 17, 2021
Check out BMSG’s top picks of the year. These selections can help advocates communicate more effectively about everything from breakthrough infections to the science behind vaccines to the need for prevention.
Tags: media bites, metaphors, public health
by: Heather Gehlert and Katherine Schaff
posted on Wednesday, December 08, 2021
In this blog, we go behind the scenes to explore strategic communication insights from a housing justice coalition’s recent policy wins and challenges, as well as implications for future campaigns. Advocates share lessons on rapid-response data collection, tailoring frames to different audiences, building a diverse group of spokespeople, and more.
Tags: coalition building, health equity, housing justice, media advocacy, narrative power, strategic communication
