The Role of Media in Emergencies

08:30, 11 Sep 2008
RUSI, Whitehall, London, SW1A 2ET

Link to map: multimap

About the event:

The media has a vital role to play during emergencies such as major terrorist attacks, large-scale flooding or pandemic flu and also in their immediate aftermath. The Civil Contingencies Act 2004 places upon the Government a duty to communicate with the public.

Local Resilience Forums must identify the Category 1 Responders who will take the lead in warning and informing the public. They must also ensure that the public receives consistent and agreed safety information. This requires robust and pre-arranged agreements with the media agencies that will be responsible for delivering that information.

At the same time, Lead Government Agencies and emergency responders must be aware of the media attention the emergency is likely to generate. They must have plans in place to work with the media so that their interest becomes neither intrusive nor overwhelming.

This workshop will examine the role the media has played, and can play, in emergencies. It will explore best practice for engaging with the media and give examples of good practice employed in previous events and also those from which lessons can be learned.

Key issues:

• Warning and informing the public
  Creating awareness of the threat without causing panic 
• Media involvement
  Should media representatives be embedded in Gold and Silver commands, co-located for easy access or kept at arm’s length?  
• Psychological impact of media coverage
  How the media can influence the psychology of those caught up in a major emergency. 
• Engaging with the press
  How to deal with media interest without letting it overwhelm responders and those affected by the emergency.
• The media as a Category 2 responder
  The role of the media in emergency communications

Further information will be made available shortly.

For further information and sponsorship opportunities, please contact Tom Mortimer, Project Manager, on +44 (0) 20 7747 2627 or Tomm@rusi.org

Event manager: Lisa Muxworthy - Events Manager, +44 (0) 20 7747 2619

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