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Post Info TOPIC: Faculty staff guidelines on media relations
Fire Shelby


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Faculty staff guidelines on media relations
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Has anyone else seen this? 


 


FACULTY-STAFF GUIDELINES ON MEDIA RELATIONS


The University of Southern Mississippi encourages administrators, faculty and staff to cooperate with members of the media. They should, however, keep the director or the assistant director of the Department of Marketing and Public Relations informed of press contacts concerning events, incidents and developments in which there is, or might develop, a public interest.


In order to maintain a good relationship with the media, it is important that all material intended for print or broadcast media be submitted to the Department of Marketing and Public Relations for assistance with editing and distribution. To ensure the most appropriate person has contact with the media, media requests should come through the Department of Marketing and Public Relations.


How to respond to media inquiries


First, get the reporter's name and the publication or station represented. Then, to ensure the most appropriate person speaks on behalf of the university, ask the media representative to contact the Department of Marketing and Public Relations for further assistance and to facilitate interviews in a timely manner.


When answering questions, be fair, friendly and factual. Please also remember that there is no such thing as an off-the-record comment.


Normally, you are expected to comment on matters within your area of expertise. Sometimes, however, a reporter may ask for a comment on a subject outside your area. In this case, refer them back to the Department of Marketing and Public Relations. Never speculate. It is best not to give a personal opinion on any subject, because it may be misconceived that you are speaking for your colleagues or the administration.


You should not assume that you will see the reporter's story before it is published or broadcast. The media representative is under no obligation to allow viewing of copy or video.


If scientific or technical data are involved, you may offer to help the reporter check the story for accuracy, particularly if the reporter is not a writer specializing in the field. Some reporters are willing to check their technical data back with the source, if time permits. If you are offered the opportunity for this type of review, remember that time is critical to the journalist facing a deadline.


If you, or members of your department, would like to schedule media training, call the Department of Marketing and Public Relations at (601) 266-4491 to make an appointment.



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USM Alum

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RE: FACULTY-STAFF GUIDELINES ON MEDIA RELATIONS
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In other words, please contact us (The Administration) so that Shelby and Darth Mader can tell you what to say, when to say it, and what tone of voice to use while you are talking, if we allow you to talk at all.

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Fire Shelby


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quote:

Originally posted by: USM Alum
"In other words, please contact us (The Administration) so that Shelby and Darth Mader can tell you what to say, when to say it, and what tone of voice to use while you are talking, if we allow you to talk at all."


Exactly!  And never state your opinion.



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USM Alum

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Opinions?  OPINIONS!!!!


OFF WITH THEIR HEADS!!!



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Miles Long

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Actually, this is fairly standard stuff at all Universities at which I've worked.

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Fire Shelby


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quote:
Originally posted by: Miles Long
"Actually, this is fairly standard stuff at all Universities at which I've worked."

Yes, but given the current climate at USM, I thought this was interesting.



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Marley's Son

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RE: Faculty staff guidelines on media relations
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Well Said, FS. And to think they were recruiting students in April for a promo piece and commercial for "The U." Weirdness indeed.


 


POWER TO THE PEOPLE!



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FlashRam

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I believe that has been in place for over a year here--am I wrong?

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Fire Shelby


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quote:
Originally posted by: FlashRam
"I believe that has been in place for over a year here--am I wrong?"

Don't know.  I have perused the PR site many times...this was the first time I had seen it.


The webpage is dated at the bottom April 20, 2004.



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Educator

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quote:
Originally posted by:
" Don't know.  I have perused the PR site many times...this was the first time I had seen it. The webpage is dated at the bottom April 20, 2004."

LOL!!


As if this fine faculty will ever become a Stepford Faculty (Factory)


No Quarter



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glumalum

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This is a pre-Mader document. But, remember when PR actually worked for the good of the University before they were Thames' personal spin machine. Then, this did not read as a threatening document. And, I think it is pretty standard for most universities to have some sort of policy like this.

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Fire Shelby


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quote:
Originally posted by: glumalum
"This is a pre-Mader document. But, remember when PR actually worked for the good of the University before they were Thames' personal spin machine. Then, this did not read as a threatening document. And, I think it is pretty standard for most universities to have some sort of policy like this."
Yes, I agree--context is everything. 

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dismayed

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This has been around awhile. Fairly standard and in some ways to protect faculty who are often inexperienced in talking to the media. If any of you have ever given an interview and then seen it in print you will know what I mean. I will no longer give an interview without a chance to proof what I have said.

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present professor

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quote:
Originally posted by: dismayed
"This has been around awhile. Fairly standard and in some ways to protect faculty who are often inexperienced in talking to the media. If any of you have ever given an interview and then seen it in print you will know what I mean. I will no longer give an interview without a chance to proof what I have said. "

All good points -- when I was at Duke there was a similar policy. But this one is fairly ambiguous:


"Normally, you are expected to comment on matters within your area of expertise. Sometimes, however, a reporter may ask for a comment on a subject outside your area. In this case, refer them back to the Department of Marketing and Public Relations. Never speculate. It is best not to give a personal opinion on any subject, because it may be misconceived that you are speaking for your colleagues or the administration."


It is possible to teach people how to make that distinction to a reporter. It isn't incredbily complicated.


The do offer a workshop however.


I agree that this probably isn't a cause to see more ninja's behind the trees. However with this administration it does become one more means by which a faculty member can be cited for "contumaceous conduct." Lots of us are talking to the press right now both as individuals and as spokespeople for various organizations (all the faculty councils, AAUP, etc.) I'm not quite sure how to put these in accord with the policy.



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anthrochick

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I agree that timing is everything. However, this is standard practice for colleges, universities, associations, etc.......

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Invictus

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quote:
Originally posted by:
"
First, get the reporter's name and the publication or station represented. Then, to ensure the most appropriate person speaks on behalf of the university, ask the media representative to contact the Department of Marketing and Public Relations for further assistance and to facilitate interviews in a timely manner. "


First, this is a pretty standard type of directive. I've seen something similar to this at every institution where I've taught or studied.

But the above paragraph caught my eye. In virtually every newspaper article lately, the "appropriate person" seems to be the "university spokesperson" Lisa Mader (aka Miss Information).

Now, some folks may or may not have cared for Bud Kirkpatrick, but he didn't seem to be trotted out at the "university spokesperson" all the time -- he usually located a really "appropriate person" & let them sound off.



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