Crisis Communications for Prosecutor’s Offices: Media Relations During and After the Pandemic

Facing the news media or an angry public can be nerve-racking even under the best conditions. Now, Ohio prosecutors are called to communicate complex information about the law, public protection, and local government action to panicked citizens. Effective crisis communications is even more important during a global pandemic.   This OPAA webinar will feature timely, practical advice on how Ohio prosecutors – in the context of criminal, civil, appellate, and juvenile law – can provide current and relevant public safety updates at a time when county residents are deeply afraid. This session will also help prosecutors advise county officials on public communications.
 
Your presenter is Mark Weaver, a litigation attorney and crisis communications advisor with nearly three decades of national and Ohio-based experience. He’ll lead the group through interactive lecture and simulations that relate to how prosecutor’s offices should deal with the media, especially in a crisis or emergency situation. 
 
Learn About:

• The four basic principles of communicating in a crisis
• How legal ethics rules govern prosecutor’s comments to the news media
• Why “no comment,” is never the right response – even when there’s a gag order or facts are shifting
• Identifying and communicating to your community leaders who influence public opinion
• Composing an effective message in a pandemic
• The evolving logistics of communicating with the news media
• What communicating with the public will look like once we’re on the other side of the pandemic