DEALING WITH A CRISIS...
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Every organization must always be confident and prepared to handle media inquiries and other interested parties around crisis situations. Crisis categories includes: emerging crisis, immediate crisis and sustained crisis. Different kinds of crises which may fall in the above mentioned categories are handled differently, and it is not easy for public relations practitioners to predict when and where they will occur. They may include: strikes, image crisis, consumer crisis and so forth.
As an organization you need to be socially responsible and respond accurately to the media. Release accurate information and avoid the disadvantage of the media having to obtain information from a secondary source which will offer inaccurate information.
Consider these tips: Release as much accurate information as you can,"No Comment" is not an acceptable response, if you have not obtained relevant information about the crisis at-hand the better response would be, 'i will get accurate information and come back to you as soon as possible.' Never refuse to provide information as it can result in bad news which will last for several days, months or even years... BAD HEY???
In conclusion, it is advisable for an organization/company to plan for a crisis. Have a crisis management plan prepared, be prepared to demonstrate what has happened, set up telephone lines to cope with the additional calls that will be received during the crisis, add credibility to your cause and invite authoritative bodies to help end the crisis. In communicating about the crisis - avoid the use of jargon -use the language that shows that you care about what has happened and try by all means to demonstrate that you are trying to put matters right and lastly, when the dust has settled - look for what the crisis has taught you and teach others from your industry from your experiences.
