Re: Media Response - Take initiative

[antatnsu@pacbell.net]

About 20 years ago in the San Jose CA area, the Media Technical Information Service
(MTIS) was initiated.  Its purpose was just as you describe.  It was done with
volunteers.  It didn't work.  We needed a dedicated full time person to do the
computer and office work and there was no money to pay for it.  We found this out
only after we had all of the organization in place to get the work done.  We had
contacted all local scientific society chapters to enlist their aid in finding
experts.  We were not limited to things nuclear.  Perhaps that was one of the
weaknesses in our program.  We wanted to handle all scientific questions the media
might have.  If we had limited ourselves to things nuclear, it might have been more
possible to do it.  I think such a system should work, but not with volunteers
only.  Get the money first or at least at the same time you set up the
organization.  Al Tschaeche antatnsu@pacbell.net

Robert Gunter wrote:

> Greetings all,
>
> My wife is currently the Publicity Director for a local conference on an
> unrelated subject, but her experience has rubbed off on me a bit.  If the Health
> Physics community wants to get it's message across regarding the health effects
> of radiation exposure, we should seriously consider a publicity strategy.  I am
> not talking about full page ads in the NY Times, rather a bit of grunt work.
>
> Each interested Chapter and the HPS National Officers should identify all the
> media outlets in their region and make contact with their news departments and
> specifically those individuals who would handle a relevant story.  The people
> assigned to a certain desk change frequently, especially in local papers, so
> follow up is required.  A list of people who can speak to the issues at hand
> could be provided, such as the Officers of the Chapter or National HPS or others
> (depending on the type of story).  When breaking news hits, they would have an
> easy reference to knowledgeable people in our society.
>
> Notice how fast a lot of organizations respond.  This is due to their prior
> planning.  Of course most of the groups we hear from have a different agenda and
> often have low budgets.  News media provide a FREE outlet for their message.
>
> Maybe we are already doing this?
>
> Rob Gunter
>
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