All public and private organizations should prepare and enact an official media policy.

The policy should describe in detail the limits on how the organization's employees should interact with the media. The policy can sometimes be referred to as a media relations policy, an information policy or a communications policy.

Media-policy.org provides basic online guidance for anyone engaged in the task of writing a first media policy or modifying an existing policy.

Samples of typical policies are provided under the headings of Government, Law Enforcement and Corrections, Education, Healthcare and Private/Not for Profit policies.

Having prepared a policy, someone in the organization should take, or be given, responsibilty for liaison with the media. Training in how to handle the media should be provided for the responsible person or persons.

When representatives of the press call, they may possibly have an agenda. The agenda may not be in the interests of your organization. Although it can be frustrating to listen to politicians in interview situations, most politicians have been trained to deal with hostile, leading questions in a manner that lessens controversy. Your organization should have a media contact able to deal with media questions clearly, honestly and with good humor.

Private and Not for Profit Organizations

http://www.faaw.org.au/about/policy.htm http://www.sla.org/content/resources/leadcenter/leadtrain/chpdivgd/Media.cfm