500 word paper news /press conference

Number 5

Create a crisis situation related to your field, field of interest, or place of work, and simulate a press conference. Write a paper no less than three pages including the following information:

 Introduction and description of your crisis including which stage of the crisis the press conference is taking place in.

 Description of how you will handle a press conference, including what types of media will attend, who will manage the start and finish of the conference, and who will be the designated spokesperson.

 Draft a statement that the spokesperson will present.

 Draft three trick questions that the reporters may potentially ask in this particular situation, and provide your answers to those trick questions.

 Create clear headings for each of the four sections of this paper.

Stage 1 (pg 173) Chapter 23

Stage 2 (pg 174) Chapter 23

Stage 3 (pg 176) Chapter 23

Stage 4 (pg 176) Chapter 23

When it comes time for the interview, every piece of the spokesperson’s performance will be scrutinized, analyzed, and dissected. That person needs to think about the way they look, the way they speak, and the level of trust they convey. Not always an easy task, especially if the media are attacking. Practice and anticipation of difficult or trick questions is key to a successful interview.

Why do journalists ask difficult questions, especially in a crisis situation? (Jordan-Meier, 2011)

 To test the validity of the crisis organization’s claims

 To probe for facts as the crisis unfolds

 To get balance (the other side of the story)

 To find someone to blame

 To resolve conflicting claims of information

 To determine who is telling the truth

 To get to the bottom of why something has happened and what is being done to ensure it will not happen again

 To get the interviewee (when they feel you have lied or cheated)

What it boils down to is reporters can ask those questions that many people are thinking, but are afraid to, or not in a position to ask. Organizational leaders need to stop and think how they might be framed, i.e., either as a good guy or bad guy, so they can prepare for press conferences and interviews appropriately. Remember the importance of choosing the right spokesperson that we studied in Unit IV and apply as you prepare for a press conference.

Interviewees need to know what to do when they cannot answer a question and also how to interact in a “give and take” fashion during the interview. Interviewers may ask hypothetical, leading, or loaded questions; anticipate what these might be, and determine how each might be handled as much as possible prior to the interview. Most importantly, negative language should be avoided.

References:

Jordan-Meier, J. (2011). The four stages of highly effective crisis management: How to manage the media in the digital age. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.

Walaski, P. (2011). Risk and crisis communications: Methods and messages. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.