Category: The Briefing Room
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📘 ADA Compliance for PIOs: Why Accessibility Should Be a Core Communication Strategy
As public information officers (PIOs), we’re in the business of communicating clearly, accurately, and inclusively. But how often do we consider whether our materials are truly accessible to everyone? ADA compliance—referring to the Americans with Disabilities Act—isn’t just a legal box to check. It’s a professional standard and an ethical responsibility. For government agencies, public… Read more
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📘 Announcing Deaths: Why Respecting Families Should Come Before Public Timelines
In the world of public information and crisis communications, timing matters. But sometimes, decency matters more. Whether it’s a homicide, fatal crash, overdose, or other tragic circumstance, the death of a community member triggers a familiar process: agencies prepare a news release, social media post, or media statement. And often, just hours (in some cases… Read more
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📘 When the Fake Feels Real: What the Coldplay Kisscam Statement Hoax Teaches Us About Crisis Communication
Sometimes the most revealing crisis isn’t the one that actually happens—it’s the one people believe happened. That’s exactly what unfolded online after a video went viral from a recent Coldplay concert, showing a man romantically embracing a woman who was reportedly not his wife. Social media quickly identified the man as a wealthy CEO and… Read more
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📘 Answer the Call: Why Being Responsive to the Media Still Matters
In public information, credibility is currency—and few things erode it faster than silence. Whether you work for a state agency, a municipality, a corrections facility, or a healthcare system, you’ve likely been on the receiving end of a media request that came at the wrong time: mid-crisis, short-staffed, or as you were walking into another… Read more
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📘 Is “Zero Tolerance” Messaging Still Effective? Rethinking the Tone of Public Safety Communications
Author’s Note:Over the Fourth of July weekend, I kept hearing the phrase “zero tolerance” over and over again—on the radio, in news stories, on social media: “State Police will have zero tolerance for impaired driving.”“Marine Patrol has zero tolerance for boating under the influence.” It got me thinking—not about whether impaired driving is dangerous (it… Read more
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📘 When Tragedy Strikes: Why Preparedness Messaging After a Crisis Isn’t Opportunistic—It’s Necessary
Like so many of you, my heart is with the people of Texas this week.In the wake of this most recent tragedy—one that has shaken families, first responders, entire communities, and the public safety professionals who must carry its weight—there’s a national pause. A breath held. A sense of sorrow, solidarity, and reflection. As public… Read more
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📘 Message Mapping 101: How FEMA’s Messaging Framework Simplifies Crisis Communication
In the chaos of a crisis, your message needs to be sharp, clear, and calm—especially when the pressure is rising and time is short. Whether you’re preparing a press conference, a news release, social media updates, or a speech, having a structured message framework can mean the difference between clarity and confusion. That’s where the… Read more
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📘 Leading with Empathy: The Most Powerful Statement You Can Make in a Controversial Crisis
When controversy strikes—whether it’s a high-profile misconduct case, a tragic incident, or a hot-button issue that divides public opinion—how your organization responds defines more than your reputation. It defines your humanity. In moments like these, empathy isn’t weakness—it’s strength. It is the foundation on which trust, credibility, and meaningful resolution are built. Why Empathy Matters… Read more
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📘 Why Leaders Can’t—and Shouldn’t—Do It All: The Value of a Trained PIO
Leadership comes with enormous responsibility—and in today’s always-on, media-saturated environment, how you communicate is just as important as what you do. Yet many organizations, particularly small agencies or departments, still assume that the leader alone can carry the entire communications burden. Spoiler alert: they can’t. More importantly: they shouldn’t. No matter the size of the… Read more
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📘 Press Release or News Release? Why the Words We Use Matter
In public information work, precision matters. The facts we share, the way we say them, and even the labels we use on official materials help shape how our message is received. And one of the most common—and overlooked—examples of this is the difference between a press release and a news release. While the terms are… Read more