Dealing with the news media: effective communication strategies for medical examiners.
Medical examiners have responsibilities that often result in news media coverage that can bring unwanted attention. Dealing with the news media is always a learning process, but various resources exist to help in maintaining credibility. Local offices should consider establishing proactive community relations and media relations programs. Appropriate steps should be taken to manage media relations, including the appointment of an official spokesperson and regular use of the prepared statement. This article also explores the benefits of being prepared for media interviews, offers advice for responding to the media following a mass disaster, and examines options for dealing with a media investigation. Medical examiners, coroners, investigators, and other forensic experts have responsibilities that frequently bring them in contact with the news media. Today, a crime scene investigation is not complete without media attention. We now live in an era of "CNN journalism," in which local investigations may be propelled into the national spotlight. Unfortunately, the result can be unwanted attention. What resources can medical examiners rely on to better manage the news media? What can you do to maintain credibility? There are a number of options available, all of which can easily put into practice.
Kelly
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Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Washington, DC 20306-6000, USA.
D003146:Communications Media; D003334:Coroners and Medical Examiners / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D008402:Mass Media