Description

Pre/Co-Requisites

Performance Criteria

1. Assess scene and organisation requirements

1.1. Restricted and/or special access areas are clearly defined to media personnel to safeguard the operation and prevent contamination of evidence

1.2. Media access to personnel/volunteers/victims/casualties is controlled

1.3. Operational responsibilities and provision of information to media is assessed

2. Develop media strategy

2.1. Media plan is used to form the media strategy

2.2. Arrangements are made to meet media requirements according to incident characteristics and current developments

2.3. Organisational media representative is selected and briefed according to availability, knowledge of incident, media presence and role played in the incident

2.4. Media briefing area is allocated with required resources where possible

2.5. Media co-operation is gained in order to co-ordinate information flow and to provide information to the public on matters of safety and public interest

2.6. Media strategy is changed at any time to suit operational demands and level of incident

2.7. Approval is gained for information releases where appropriate

2.8. Information briefing sessions and tours are scheduled at appropriate times in line with operational responsibilities and media requirements

2.9. Media personnel and VIP are provided with Occupational Health and Safety clothing where appropriate

3. Provide information to media

3.1. Organisational protocols are followed when liaising with the media

3.2. Organisational media representative provides current developments of incident where appropriate

3.3. Interview and photo opportunities are scheduled and conducted to provide information where appropriate

3.4. Other organisations are consulted with at the incident to ensure a consistent presentation of information to the media

3.5. Accurate records of media enquiries and interviews are maintained

3.6. A two-way communication process between organisation and media is maintained

4. Promote the organisation via the media

4. 1. Work and achievements of organisation, volunteer and other organisation personnel at incident is promoted throughout the incident to assist in maintaining morale and public profile

4. 2. Own demeanour and presentation reflects the professional standards of the organisation and support for victims and others affected by the incident

Key Competencies

Communicating ideas and information

• Communicate ideas and information to reporting procedures (verbal and written) 

Collecting analysing and organising information

• Collect, organise and understand information related to recognising and reporting situations

 Planning and organising activities 

• Plan and organise activities which implement and follow standard procedures 

Working with others and in teams

• Work with others and in a team by assisting and cooperating with team members 

Using mathematical ideas and techniques 

• Use mathematical ideas and techniques to document and report numbers for emergency procedures

Solving problems 

• Establish diagnostic processes which recommend improvements for OH&S issues

Using technology 

• Use workplace technology related to the use of technology to assist with safe work practices

Range Statement

Media requirements may include

• technical eg lighting/sound
• access for crew and equipment
• photographic/film opportunities
• on-site interviews
• interviews with particular personnel
• newsworthiness
• news angles
• human interest interviews and stories
• technical and other requirements of local vs regional vs national media of print vs radio vs television and of community vs commercial vs government-owned media
• individual requests from media personnel
• food
• shelter
• personal protective equipment
• telephones
• facsimiles
• power outlets
• bilingual briefing

Information which needs to be disseminated to the public may include

• emergency hotlines
• road closures
• facility closures
• warnings
• danger zones
• persons police are seeking to interview
• public information/assurance
• evacuation details

Organisation and legal requirements may include

• relating to occupational health and safety
• public safety
• operational priorities
• confidentiality

Organisational requirements for press conferences etc may include

• operational requirements
• policies and procedures
• currency of information
• need for public assistance

Sources of information may include

• other organisations
• eyewitnesses
• weather forecasters
• own organisation personnel
• volunteer workers

Evidence Guide

Critical Aspects of Evidence

• Manage media to ensure integrity of information being disseminated

Underpinning Knowledge

• knowledge of current practices for media liaison
• legal and organisation requirements relating to confidentiality, libel, accuracy, discrimination
• newsworthiness of information
• requirements of different media—newspapers, magazines, radio, television
• requirements of local vs regional vs national media
• requirements of media to present information in a newsworthy/entertaining manner
• role of media in disseminating information

Underpinning Skills

• attention to detail
• communicating facts in a fluent, clear and interesting manner
• conducting press conferences and group interviews
• empathy with victims and operational personnel
• liaison with media and other organisation personnel

Resource implications

• No special requirements

Consistency in performance

• Evidence should be gathered over a period of time in a range of actual or simulated workplace environments

Context of assessment

• On the job or in a simulated work environment