Media Relations
Media Relations
As a member of the campus community, you may come in contact with media, including reporters representing newspapers, magazines, radio, television, and online media resources. In most cases, OMC has proactively arranged for media to be present, is responding to a specific media inquiry, or is “pitching” a campus expert to a specific reporter or related to a particular topic. However, in the event you are approached by media which is not related to an OMC media inquiry, keep in mind the important parameters noted below. As always, the best course of action is to contact OMC, when the media is unexpectedly present.
Media Interactions
- You may refuse to talk with a reporter by stating that you are not the appropriate person to speak about the topic at hand and refer them to OMC.
- If you do speak about an issue, clearly identify your name and title, and ask the reporter to repeat the information back to you.
- Ask the reporter if she is working on a deadline. Find out what the deadline is, and if it is not an immediate one, refer the reporter to OMC.
- Answer only the questions being asked. Do not volunteer additional information beyond the scope of the reporter’s questions.
- If you don’t know the answer to a question; say so. It is always acceptable to say that you don’t know. It is not acceptable to say “no comment.”
- Following interaction with any media, please contact OMC, with the status of the event.
Etown Experts
The many experts on our campus can speak about topics ranging from academic programs to current affairs. OMC is always looking for an opportunity to present Etown experts’ insights in the media.
View Our etown Experts ListCrisis Communications
The most important element of managing a crisis is to have a clear plan established before it’s needed. Communicating to various audiences—students, parents, staff, faculty, the public, media—in the midst of a crisis situation is critical to Elizabethtown College maintaining a positive image in the community. The Emergency Management Group (EMG) has established a comprehensive response plan for many different types of crisis scenarios. Inherent in each scenario is a clearly defined communication plan. Each scenario defines a specific spokesperson for a given scenario and identifies other important resources that may be used to support the crisis. Staff and faculty members should be aware that, in the case of a crisis, the EMG is actively monitoring and managing every step of the event and communicating about the status. Updates about a crisis scenario will be communicated through the EC Alert system, email, website, and through social media posts.
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