Responding to a terrorist incident
Media involvement
The media has an essential role to play in any emergency. They are the primary means of communication with the public.
Responders should recognise the media as partners in their earliest planning stages, and take account of the needs of the media when compiling their communications strategy.
Advances in technology mean that pictures and reports can now be sent direct from the scene via a mobile phone. They may come from members of the public making direct contact with media channels even before journalists have arrived.
A protocol on the delivery of urgent public safety information has been agreed between national broadcasters, the Press Association and Government.
However, for the protocols to work media broadcasters will require:
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Well thought out and joined up arrangements between the emergency services, local authority and other organisations, capable of providing agreed information at speed.
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An immediate telephone contact.
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A media centre [rendezvous point] near to the scene of the emergency and
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Suitable numbers of press officers available at the scene.
You should also consider:
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Allowing the media the opportunity to take suitable pictures from the best vantage point unless it would hinder the rescue operation – it is for the media to take responsibility for what is necessary and in good taste and
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Allowing the media controlled access to areas if possible (there are often sensitivity or security considerations) – informed stories are often better and the alternative is unhelpful speculation.
What happens if there is a problem?
If any member of the public feels they are being harassed by the media for their story there are avenues open for them to lodge a complaint.
The Press Complaints Commission (print media, www.pcc.org.uk) and Ofcom (broadcast media, www.ofcom.org.uk) have Codes of Practice to which the media are expected to adhere.
The primary concern of the Codes of Practice is the protection of vulnerable people from possible intrusion. It is recognised that at times of grief or shock the attention of the media can be unwelcome.
