Colleagues
For many staff it can be an unnerving experience to receive a call from a journalist or to find one-self being asked abruptly to answer a question for publication. In some instances staff may find a journalist in or near their place of work.
When a Journalist Calls or you are approached by a journalist…
- Staff should refer the call to the local Area Communications Office 061 483316 or Mike.Aherne@hse.ie in the first instance or the national press and media relations office if necessary press@hse.ie
- Journalists are always obliged to identify themselves as such under the NUJ Code of Ethics and in almost all cases will do so.
- Staff should remember that anything they do say to a journalist can be used and quoted and the staff member can even be named.
- In order to protect staff, the reputation of the HSE and patient confidentiality, the following protocols should be adhered to:
Protocols
1. All media queries, including requests to take photographs or film, should be referred to the HSE Communications office in your area.
2. All statements to be issued publicly should be cleared by a senior manager and the HSE Communications office in your area.
3. Any invitations to the media (or public events in the planning stage) should be issued by the HSE Communications office in your area.
4. Any knowledge of journalistic activity concerning a HSE matter should be notified to the HSE Communications office in your area.
5. Any development which is certain to arouse significant media interest (positive or negative) should be notified firstly to the relevant senior manager and also to the HSE Communications office in your area
What to do if the media present on HSE premises seeking interviews or photographs
Interviews, filming or photography should not be carried out by the media on HSE premises without the permission of your Communications office.
- Where the media contact the Communications office to seek permission to film or take photographs of a HSE premises, the Communications office will consult with the relevant manager.
- If permission is granted the Communications office will make the appropriate arrangements. If the media present on HSE premises seeking interviews/photographs, without prior approval, you should inform them that it is HSE policy that all media requests are referred to the Communications office.
- You should give them contact details for your Communications office and you should also contact your Communications office immediately to advise that the media are present at your premises/location