Essential Rules of Media relations
Rule # 1: Never Say "No Comment."
Failure to cooperate becomes the story.
When an organization is uncooperative with the media, the lack of cooperation can become the story.
Saying "no comment" or hiding information creates the appearance you have something to hide. Nothing inspires a reporter to dig deeper that the belief that there is something to find. |
Rule #2: Be transparent and authentic.
The media sees through double speak
Double speak can be obvious and damaging to credibility. On the left, Christine Shelley clearly avoids calling events in Rwanda "genocide." The the reporter isn't fooled and calls her out on it.
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Tony Hayward is viewed as unconcerned about the crisis. His comments lack sincerity.
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Rule # 3: Play Nice with the Media
You must maintain a respectful working relationship with members of the media. When you don't play nice with the media, expect that they won't play nice with you.
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This video isn't great quality but it is a great example of what can happen if you insult the press corp.
The second video is a follow-up to the first and shows the impact of not playing nice with the media.
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