How to Meet the Media

Occupational physicians on occasion will have to respond toinquiries from the print and broadcast media, particularly insituations involving the health or death of workers. They mustbe prepared concerning the issue at hand, be factual, be cooperative,and be careful of questions that are ‘just off the record’.As representatives of organizations at times of corporate stress,they must be truthful in the presentation of explanations concerningthe causes of mishaps and the means of averting future repetitionsof comparable hazardous episodes. A set of principles is offeredwhich will aid physicians in their discussion of serious healthand safety issues at the worksite.