b'Preventative stepson Channel 4, and second, we want to H ere are some proactivebe known for unconditional compas-measures that ministriessionand this looked anything but.can take to prevent andPrepare for interviews. Its been mitigate media crises. said the only thing worse than bad Have a standing media task force.publicity is no publicity. Since you We are easily accusedMany of you mean to do this but willlive and work in your community, of intolerance,never get around to it. At least find ayou should generally grant local friendly local media expert, volunteerinterviews, making sure youre well discrimination, hatefulor paid, to help you prepare for crisisprepared. Its not beneficial to agree media interviews. Consider engagingwith every national media request. If beliefs, and evena former news reporter now servingyou google chart on the media land-illegal behavior if weas a spokesperson for the hospital,scape, you can find several charts law enforcement, the school system,that rank national media outlets on a wont allow a man toor a big corporation. If you cant findspectrum from most extreme liberal a coach locally, I may be able to helpto most extreme conservative.stay in the womensyou find someone. Cultivate a rela- Media outlets on extreme endsshelter or if we donttionship now, so that when you needof the spectrum likely have anhelp, you have it. It helps a lot to takeangle they intend to pursue, with or hire a prospectiveyour key leaders through basic mediawithout your comments. They will training and some practice withlook for quotes to support their employee whosemock interviews. Tape them, watchviewpoints, and you cant expect lifestyle is antitheticalthem together, and think of how youfair treatment. In MHMs religious can improve the answers. freedom controversy, we avoided to Christianity. Create a culture of openness.interview requests from publications Shape your ministry culture towardclassified on the extremes. Although transparency. Before controversywe suspected the Washington Post erupts, consider changing practiceswould not be in our corner, we that can easily be misunderstood.granted an interview, believing that Do your organizational practicesthey would quote us objectively. Our make sense in a 30-second sound biteresponses were included fairly and (because that might be all you getreasonably, although the Post article when Channel 4 airs the story)? Yearsitself was not favorable.ago, our womens shelter proposed aWho speaks for the ministry? new rule: if you dont do your chores,The frontline receptionist is often you cant eat. While the rule had aneglectedbe sure he or she knows practical motivation and explanation,what to do when the media calls. I still blocked it. First, I wouldnt haveMany staff can answer questions been able to explain it and the rele- of fact, such has How many guests vant biblical principles in 30 secondsspent the night? Even then, all \x02 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2022 WWW.CITYGATENETWORK.ORG 33'