Transcript SGTM 13 - Media Relations

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SGTM 13: Media Relations
SGTM 13: Media Relations
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Peacekeeping and the news
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Impacts of media reporting
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Your mission’s PIO
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How you can relate to news media
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How you can manage an interview
SGTM 13: Media Relations
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Giving the right kind
of information to news
media is a key to
mission success
SGTM 13: Media Relations
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News media have their
own focus on peace
operations – some are
“pro”, some are “con”,
some impartial
SGTM 13: Media Relations
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Explain mission mandate
and activities
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Be a reliable source of
information
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Counter misinformation and
propaganda
SGTM 13: Media Relations
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The media focus on
peacekeepers on and off the job
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Bad conduct will be reported by
the media
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Good conduct will help maintain
a positive public image
SGTM 13: Media Relations
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News media work 24/7,
often reporting in real time
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News travels very quickly
all over the world
SGTM 13: Media Relations
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You can help make good news
and prevent negative reporting
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Bad conduct can have
negative effects on the mission,
the UN, the peace process
SGTM 13: Media Relations
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Misconduct
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Has immediate local and international
impact
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Damages image of United Nations and
contingent around the world
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Destroys trust of local population
SGTM 13: Media Relations
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Public Information Office (PIO)
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Provides critical information to
mission personnel and news media
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Produces information for all media,
local and international
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Employs local journalists and other
local staff
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Works with military PIO
SGTM 13: Media Relations
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Guidelines
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You need not talk to the media
if you prefer
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Be factual and positive
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Speak with respect for local
people
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Guidelines
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Don’t forget, you are an
ambassador for the UN
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Remember the name and
organization of the reporter
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Tell your PIO whom you spoke
with and what was said
SGTM 13: Media Relations
Don’t
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Address questions that you are not
authorized to answer
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Give personal opinions about the situation
of the peace process
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Reveal information related to security
matters or combattants
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Favour one side over another
SGTM 13: Media Relations
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Do
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Know the main points about your mission
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Refer to your superiors or PIO if
you don’t know answers
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Be polite and professional
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Stick to the facts
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Be brief and precise
SGTM 13: Media Relations
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Your job is to support the mandate
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The mandate is authorized by the
Security Council
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The mandate describes what the
United Nations can do
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You should remember the basic points
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Refresh your knowledge by asking
your PIO
SGTM 13: Media Relations
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Do not comment on
critical incidents
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Refer questions to PIO
SGTM 13: Media Relations
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Look at the reporter, not the camera
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Listen carefully to the question
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Answer with facts
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Be brief and simple
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Behave naturally
SGTM 13: Media Relations
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In an interview
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Don’t say “no comment”
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Don’t answer only “yes” or “no”
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Don’t assume anything you say is
“off the record”
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Don’t offer personal opinions
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Don’t discuss security issues
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What is your name?
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Where are you from?
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How old are you?
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How long have you been here?
SGTM 13: Media Relations
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Why are you here?
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What do you do here?
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Do you think that your
presence is useful?
SGTM 13: Media Relations
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Do you like being here?
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How soon will we have peace?
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Fighting is still going on.
What do you think will happen?
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Aren’t you afraid that things will get
worse?
SGTM 13: Media Relations