Spokespeople

As you plan for each scenario, think about who would be a good spokesperson in each situation. This person becomes the “face” of the organization to the public and the media, so you need someone who reflects the best qualities of your organization.

Take Your Best Guess

The best spokesperson during a public health crisis is:

A. The public health director or a person high up in the organization

B. Someone who can show empathy, stay organized, and speak clearly

C. Someone who has experience speaking to the news media

The best answer is B.

All of these are good qualifications, but the best spokesperson is someone who can show empathy, stay organized, and speak clearly. Other good traits include:

Staying organized and “on message” when dealing with the media
Understanding the audience and being able to translate technical information so that it is easily understood
Being knowledgeable and credible about the event and the facts to date
Communicating with clarity, sensitivity, humility, and poise
Working well under pressure