Media Relations for Public Safety Professionals

by Brown, Leo

• ISBN13: 9780763731670
• ISBN10: 0763731676
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2004-03-05
• Publisher: INGRAM

Summary

As most public safety professionals are aware, the events that require emergency response personnel also frequently attract members of the news media. In emergencies ranging from terrorist attacks to a car accident on a local road, reporters and cameramen on the scene often use the comments and actions of front-line responders as integral components to their news story. With this in mind, Media Relations for Public Safety Professionals provides a primer for emergency responders who find themselves confronted by the media. Covering such essential topics as press releases, the types of media, and interviewing techniques, this book provides public safety professionals with the tools necessary to successfully interact with the media. The wide range of topics and information covered by Media Relations for Public Safety Professionals makes it an indispensable resource for any level emergency response personnel, from the department rookie to the seasoned Public Relations Officer. This book is part of the EMS Continuing Education Series. As an EMS provider, you know that your education does not stop when you finish your initial training. The things you learn in the field and in continuing education classes give you the extra skills and knowledge to make you the best provider you can be. The EMS Continuing Education Series was created to help you take that extra step toward not just being a great provider, but an outstanding one.

Table of Contents

Introduction	ix
Pre-test	xi
The Media	1	(7)
How Did We Get Here	1	(1)
Who Is the News Media	2	(2)
What Does the Media Want	4	(1)
Five Fundamental Truths of Effective Media Relations	4	(1)
Important Media Relations Terminology	5	(3)
Ethics, the News Media, and the Law	8	(9)
Making a Case for the News Media	8	(1)
Ethics	9	(1)
The Law	10	(2)
Libel	12	(1)
Slander	13	(1)
Privacy	14	(1)
Retraction	14	(1)
Correction	15	(2)
What Is News?	17	(4)
You Are News	17	(1)
The Good	17	(1)
The Bad	18	(1)
The Ugly	18	(1)
High-Profile Incidents	18	(3)
The Types and Needs of the Media	21	(4)
The Media's Wants, Needs, and Resources	21	(1)
Print Media	21	(1)
Radio Media	22	(1)
Television Media	22	(1)
Internet Media	22	(3)
Create a Policy for Dealing With the Media and Follow It	25	(6)
Why Have a Media Policy?	25	(1)
The Components of a Media Policy	26	(1)
Public Information Officer	27	(1)
Local Versus National Media Coverage	28	(1)
The Press Release	28	(3)
Why ``No Comment'' Is an Unacceptable Response	31	(5)
How the Past Has Shaped the Present	31	(1)
Are You Hiding Something?	32	(1)
Are You Uninformed?	32	(1)
Are You Being Uncooperative?	33	(1)
Alternatives to the ``No Comment'' Response	33	(3)
Public Speaking and Its Associated Problems	36	(5)
Not Everyone Wants to Be in the Limelight	36	(1)
Phobias	36	(1)
Phobias Associated With Public Speaking	37	(1)
The Media Does Not Want Perfection, They Want You!	37	(1)
Tension Busters	37	(1)
When to Call for Help	38	(3)
The Interview	41	(8)
The Importance of the Interview	41	(1)
The Golden Rule: ``Stay in the Box''	42	(1)
Who Can Say What?	42	(2)
Certifications	44	(1)
Defer to Another Source	44	(1)
It Is Okay to Say ``I Do Not Know''	45	(1)
Tips for a Successful Interview	45	(1)
Pre-Interview Readiness Checklist	46	(3)
Traps to Avoid	49	(6)
Avoiding the Minefields	49	(1)
Stick to the Facts	49	(1)
Avoid Talking for Talking's Sake	50	(1)
Hearsay	50	(1)
Speculation	50	(1)
Off the Record	51	(1)
Stay on Message	51	(1)
Jargon	52	(1)
Other Terms to Avoid	52	(3)
Role Reversal	55	(5)
Why Would You Ever Want to Contact the News Media?	55	(2)
The Public Information Officer and Marketing	57	(3)
High-Profile Incidents	60	(5)
Testing Your Metal	60	(1)
Causes	60	(1)
Organizational Impact	61	(1)
Hidden Challenges	61	(1)
Role of the Media at High-Profile Incidents	62	(3)
Appendix A: Post-test	65	(2)
Post-test	65	(1)
Post-test Answer Key	66	(1)
Appendix B: Chapter Review Answers	67	(4)
Appendix C: Scenario Answer Summaries	71	(4)
Appendix D: Sample Media Policy	75	(8)
Appendix E: Sample Press Release	83	(2)
Glossary	85	(2)
Index	87	(2)
Additional Credits	89