6 - Media catching and media relations - Martin de la Cruz

Media covering Pres. Obama - procommunicator.com

Reference

Waters, R. D., Tindall, N. J., & Morton, T. S. (2010). Media Catching and the Journalist-Public Relations Practitioner Relationship: How Social Media are Changing the Practice of Media Relations. Journal Of Public Relations Research, 22(3), 241-264. doi:10.1080/10627261003799202

Theme

PIOs and other public relations people need to be looking at the social media as a way to reach journalists.

Summary

Rather than waiting for the stories from public relations practitioners journalists are now using social media to get story ideas.

By using technology and social media journalists get public relations practitioners to compete with story ideas. This phenomenon is called media catching.  See more at: http://www.instituteforpr.org/scienceofsocialmedia/media-catching-and-the-journalist-public-relations-practitioner-relationship-how-social-media-are-changing-the-practice-of-media-relations/#sthash.hdEl4pL7.dpuf

Traditional media are using twitter, but new media outlets have turned to online services like HARO (Help-a-Reporter-Out.com) and LISTSERV technology to get story ideas

Application to the lesson

Media relations is the idea of cultivating a relationship with journalists and editors before an emergency.  This is crucial in developing an understanding of the role and needs of the media. When technology takes over, like with media catching, it becomes more difficult to develop relations with journalists, because as a PIO you may never see them.  Thus, it becomes even more important as a PIO to reach out and meet journalists.

Application to emergency services

In order to garner positive media attention, it is necessary to actively engage journalists instead of waiting for the journalists to cover you on their own. 

4 - Disaster Communication using Social Media - Ashley Burningham

Ashley Burningham

Reference: Preston, J., Stelter, B. (2012, date). In Crisis, Public Officials Embrace Social Media. New York Times.

Theme:

Social media is a powerful and necessary tool in disaster communication.

Summary:
- Hurricane Sandy prompts officials to embrace social media.
-Governor's Twitter feed proves this: 400 messages on Tuesday, 300 on Wednesday, and well over 100 on Thursday.
- Governor responding to messages, he believes social media is highly effective.
- Governor's followers increased from 20,000 to 50,000
- Phone service has been spotty
- People were reliant on texting and social media more than previously.
- Officials embraced social media to spread the word.
- Still participate in press conferences, but simultaneously post to social media.
- Serves as a round the clock press conference.
- Before the storm, they used Pinterest to generate ideas for preparing for disasters.
- "Social media is an integral part of an emergency communication plan."
- Many people don't have access to a television or radio, but most have internet access.
- Power outage prevents use of tv or radio.
- Social media allows information to come straight from the source.

Application to the Lesson:

This weeks lesson was on disaster communication and planning. With this day in age, it has become more apparent that social media is taking over the process of a lot of things. It has become a new tool utilized by officials in getting information out. Because disaster communication involves social media, it is applicable to the lesson this week.

Application to Emergency Services:

In emergency services, the Public Information Officer is in charge of distributing information to the media and public. Because social media is so prevalent today, law enforcement agencies need to take advantage of it.