Balancing Acts Need Not Tilt Toward Secrecy

Justin E. Ross

Balancing Acts Need Not Tilt Toward Secrecy

Reference: Jackman, T. (2004). Balancing Acts Need Not Tilt Toward Secrecy. (cover story). News Media & The Law, 28(2), 11.

Theme: The reasons why it is not necessary to hide information from the public.

Summary: When the courts find it necessary to shut cameras out of gallery they still need to allow the public access to what is happening.  This is when a good relationship with the PIO from your community can be very valuable; particularly when dealing with the media.

• ·         There was a clear need to allow the media to have access to the court proceedings

• ·         In order to allow the media that access they need someone had to devise a communications plan

• ·         Posting of court papers and other visuals was received positively by the media outlets.

• ·         PIOs served as a liaison between the courts and the media outlets.  This liaison relationship allowed the media to feed needs and concerns about the information being shared back to the Judges

• ·         This process reduced the need for press conferences.  

Application to the Lesson Topic: This story helps to understand that traditional press conferences are not always necessary, and that you can use non-standard practices to satiate the media's need for information.

Application to Emergency Services:  Understanding that there are other ways to make sure that the media has access to information other than traditional press releases and press conferences.  It also illustrates that there really is not a reason to hide information from the media.  What is important is that you build a trust with them and allow them access to things and ask that some of them are held off on.

 

Justin E. Ross
j_elliotte@yahoo.com
360 609-2839