Esta de Fossard speaking about entertainment education.

By Jessica Zech Student Writer Everett M. Rogers Award for Achievement in Entertainment Education winner Esta de Fossard spoke about entertainment education in a Journalism Director's Forum co-hosted by USC Annenberg's Norman Lear Center. De Fossard, who mainly works on dramatic serials in developing countries, believes to be effective through entertainment education producers, writers and educators must know their audience and what it feels like "to walk in their shoes." "Putting on entertainment education is not about you as a brilliant creator, it's about you as a person who sincerely cares for your audience and creates something that will make them pay attention and improve their lives," said de Fossard, who is a Johns Hopkins professor. She highlighted the important aspects of successful entertainment education: keeping a truthful, consistent message; using clear language, without acronyms that can isolate people who do not know their meaning; and only promoting things that are culturally appropriate. "When we are trying to reach people through education, through entertainment education, through journalism, keep it short and simple," said de Fossard. The Everett M. Rogers Award winner, who said her biggest accomplishment was teaching the next generation about entertainment education, believes "it is possible to put virtually any message into any story." Check the USC Annenberg events page for information on the next Journalism Director's Forum.