HOW TO MEET THE MEDIA

Occupational physicians on occasion will have to respond to inquiries from the print and broadcast media, particularly in situations involvi ng the health or death of workers. They must be prepared concerning th e issue at hand, be factual, be cooperative, and be careful of questio ns that are 'just off the record'. As representatives of organizations at times of corporate stress, they must be truthful in the presentati on of explanations concerning the causes of mishaps and the means of a verting future repetitions of comparable hazardous episodes. A set of principles is offered which will aid physicians in their discussion of serious health and safety issues at the worksite.