1. MEDIA HANDLING IN A CRISIS Consilia Ltd

2. The danger “A lie can be half way round the world before the truth has got its boots on.”

3. Why the media loves crises Stories sell papers Crises send up circulation Whole structure of media designed to handle crises: fast communications links staff training managerial structures

4. Impact of media The impact of media is now global A story anywhere is a story everywhere They control news agenda Impact of pressure groups

5. Communication in tough times The basic rules

6. A situation to be avoided “... no general should ever be: in a fight whose conduct, course and outcome he cannot control”. - Simon Jenkins, writing about the war in Iraq, The Sunday Times

7. Why crisis communications matters Crisis communications is about surviving problems by managing them…

8. Crises – An Overview Nature of crises: Random Shortage of accurate information Fast moving Key staff often not available Uncertainty of outcome Participants lack of experience

9. How to Respond - 1 Where do you want to be ? Work back from there That gives a strategy Take the initiative Create space to manoeuvre Control timetable if possible

10. How to respond - 2 Take initiative Use information effectively Don’t be afraid of facts and detail Don’t get caught out Maintain close contact with crisis team Draw on external experts earlier not later

11. Crisis Handling - Lessons Be instinctive “Steer for the sound of the guns” Keep intellectually above the battle Don’t speculate Don’t make promises you can’t fulfill

12. Crisis Preparation Be a Boy Scout - “Be Prepared” Know core Messages Prepare and train team Run scenario exercises

13. Your objective Continuing to manage your activities with as few constraints as possible i.e. achieving results despite events