Managing the Message: Communication and Media Management in a Security Crisis, a guide written by Sara Davidson (2013), offers guidance on communication and media management following a critical incident involving one or more members of national or international staff. Communication and media management refers to the monitoring and management of internal and external messages about an agency’s work via conventional news media, public relations channels, personal communication and social media networks. The guide is aimed at those in headquarters, regional and field offices who are likely to be involved in the stages of planning, response and review of crisis management or communication and media management before, during and after a critical incident.

This guide was developed with practicality in mind. Tips and case-studies are provided, capturing lessons learnt from other organisations’ experiences. The associated tools can be downloaded in editable format in the links below, and organisations are free to use or adapt these tools provided that GISF is acknowledged as the original source.

The associated tools can be downloaded in editable format following the links below:

Tool 1 Social media policy and guidelines
Tool 2 Checklist for a crisis communication and media plan
Tool 3 Holding statement template
Tool 4 Press release template
Tool 5 Preparing for interviews – possible questions
Tool 6 Monitoring and removing social media messages

Managing the Message: Communication and Media Management in a Security Crisis links closely to other GISF publications on:

Family First: Liaison and support during a crisis
Crisis management of critical incidents
Abduction management