This course will build on the general information in Part I, which covers relationship-building with reporters and the different focuses of different media. Students will gain a better understanding of why working with the media is crucial when it comes to getting the word out about their businesses. Many businesspeople have reservations about dealing with the media, especially when it comes to answering pointed questions about profits and losses and mergers and acquisitions. Students will walk away from this course with a clear understanding of how and why they should make efforts to answer, or at least respond, to questions from the media, even when the focus is not necessarily positive.
Objectives
Students will have a better understanding of laws governing open records in their states. Students will identify potentially negative stories about their businesses that could be leaked or given to the media.
Students will explore the aftermath of a negative story and understand the importance of responding to media inquiries, even when the topic is a touchy one.
Students will know their rights and understand that they do not have to answer certain questions. Students will refer to the media relationships they have identified or built and determine the best way to approach each media representative differently.
Students will go over everything they've learned in both Business and the Media: I and Business and the Media: II. The purpose of this lesson to make sure that students have a good understanding of all of the content from both courses, and that they feel they can take what they've learned and apply it in the real world.
Book
The Associated Press Stylebook and Briefing on Media Law
Copy: Published in 2000 or more recent
Publisher: Perseus Publishing
Lesson 1: Responding to the media when publicity is not wanted
Refer to the section in your AP Stylebook, "Briefing on Media Law," which is located at the end of the book.
Lesson 2: Once the story is out, the damage is done
No assigned reading for this lesson.
Lesson 3: Knowing your rights and preparing yourself
You will want to reference the Briefing on Media Law section in your AP Stylebook.
Lesson 4: Putting it all together
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