Suddenly, you or your organisation are in a major news crisis. A quick response is needed, as the media are outside your office and your home. They only leave once an official statement is provided. They want to know what your response is to the crisis. What should you do?

A crisis triggered by a significant incident/event can eventually become a national issue anytime. A crisis can be in the form of an accident, natural disaster, extraordinary incident, or the arrest of a national figure on allegations of breaking the law (such as corruption).

This course will systematically introduce why an event turns into a crisis, the first steps that should be taken, what to expect from the mainstream media, how social media handles a crisis, and what steps you should take.

All of the steps outlined and discussed during the course aim to maintain your and your organisation's reputation. If your reputation is tarnished, the course will also cover how to restore it. The course combines written materials, scenarios, and discussions, all aimed at helping you stay calm, confident, and professional in facing and mitigating the crisis at hand.

It should be noted that crisis management procedures cannot be formulated once a crisis has occurred. You must have already decided on the crisis management procedures well in advance.

The reality is that only a few public figures/officials or organizations have crisis management procedures. Even if they already have them, how often are these procedures reviewed? Equally important, when a crisis occurs, who will face the media? Who will provide explanations and updates to them?

Is there a team that monitors the development of the crisis on social media? This team is needed because special measures are required to ensure that conversations on social media do not turn into something that harms you or your organization.

Do not delay in facing the media. A silent attitude will only be perceived as you avoiding responsibility. Face the media calmly and professionally. Do not consider the media as an enemy.

Convey your or your organisation's line, but do not issue cliché statements. For example, "Public safety is everything." Or "We respect the legal process." These statements will not satisfy the media or the public.

Tell the media that "Our focus at the moment is to find the root of the problem... and there is a special team working in the field." Or, "For now, the person involved has been suspended from their position, and at the same time, our internal team is investigating this case."

This course lasts half a day and can be combined with other classes, such as social media and media training.