Should a crisis hit your business, you won’t want to be unprepared to deal with the media – they are your most important link to the public. Here is some of the helpful information provided by The Federal Emergency Management Agency:
Advance Preparation
- Develop and maintain good relationships with the media in your area. Find out what they would need and be interested in under crisis circumstances.
- Choose a trained spokesperson, as well as an alternate.
- Establish procedures for ensuring that information is complete and accurate, that technical information is explained appropriately, and that it is clear which information is approved for public release.
- Set up a media briefing area.
- Assemble background information about the company and facility.
- Develop security procedures.
During The Crisis
- Don’t speculate about or place blame for the incident.
- Allow only authorized personnel to release information.
- Give all media, local and national, equal time.
- Keep records of all the information that is released.
- When possible, provide press releases, and conduct press briefings and interviews.
- Don’t mislead the media or cover up facts.
Based on a report in CP&M
