What to know What to do What to say
“The Oregon Audits Division is the taxpayers’ friend.” Bend Bulletin editorial 2009
“Chicken Costumes Banned at Nevada Polling Places.” Las Vegas Sun 2010
Everyone is watching all the time.
Presume everyone has a camera, a cell phone and a blog
Everyone is watching all the time. Everyone has a camera, a cell phone and a blog And they’ll use them.
Everyone is watching all the time. Everyone has a camera, a cell phone and a blog And they’ll use them. But not necessarily in ways you’ll like.
Everyone is watching all the time. Everyone has a camera, a cell phone and a blog And they’ll use them. But not in ways you’ll like. Don’t confuse this with journalism.
Probably the nearest newspaper.
Because in a pinch, other news organizations will look to them first to know the right approach.
Be visible, transparent and accessible.
Be visible transparent and accessible. Post everything on your web site.
Be visible transparent and accessible. Post everything on your web site. That means agendas, minutes, budgets and records.
In an “event,” your Google hits will skyrocket.
You want reporters to find your site and what you have to say.
In an “event,” Google hits will skyrocket. You want reporters to find your site and what you have to say. Make it easy.
Make sure your side of the story is told quickly and accurately.
Make someone available quickly who is well-informed, updated and speaks without drooling.
Hiding the truth is usually worse than what happened.
See: Richard Nixon
Hiding the truth is usually worse than what happened. See: Richard Nixon Bill Clinton
Hiding the truth is usually worse than what happened. See: Richard Nixon Bill Clinton Bob Packwood
It’s all going to come out anyway.
Invite an open and public investigation.
It’s all going to come out anyway. Invite an open and public investigation. “We’re going to get to the bottom of this.”
It’s all going to come out anyway. Invite an open and public investigation. “We’re going to get to the bottom of this.” Honest, you’ll feel better.
Stay in touch with reporters, editors and news directors.
Keep them updated.
Stay in touch with reporters, editors and news directors. Keep them updated. Have lunch.
Give them your fact sheet.
Explain your tax base.
Give them your fact sheet. Explain your tax base. Go through your budget.
Give them your fact sheet. Explain your tax base. Go through your budget. Use simple language all taxpayers understand.
Give them your fact sheet. Explain your tax base. Go through your budget. Use simple language all taxpayers understand. Get to know them.
Give them your fact sheet. Explain your tax base. Go through your budget. Use simple language all taxpayers understand. Get to know them. Then they’ll be well-informed when something goes wrong.
First time they yawn and hit delete.
Second time they poke it with a stick.
First time they yawn and hit delete. Second time they poke it with a stick. Third time they might read through the subject line and into the first paragraph.
Ah-hah! Now you’ve got them!
By now, they’re truly reading, becoming conversant with the language and will think they have a basic understanding of the issues.
Ah-hah! Now you’ve got them! By now, they’re truly reading, becoming conversant with the language and will think they have a basic understanding of the issues. And maybe by now they do.
At the least, make sure the reporter knows of a problem so it’s not repeated later.
If necessary, request a correction.
At the least, make sure the reporter knows of a problem so it’s not repeated later. If necessary, request a correction. It’s an E-world, so you need to make sure a mistake isn’t part of an electronic archive and ripe for repeating in a month or a year.
Pets.
Weather.
Pets. Weather. Sex crimes.
Pets. Weather. Sex crimes. Preferably together.
In the middle of yesterday’s blizzard, these cute newborn puppies were left out in the cold while their owner appeared in court on sex crimes charges. They’ve now been adopted by a new family and are happy and warm.