Working With the Media

University Philosophy Public Relations Help

Purdue Policy

Public understanding of policies, plans and programs at Purdue is crucial to successfully fulfilling the University's missions of education, research and service. One critical way to reach the public is through the news media. To that end, the Purdue News Service has put together these guidelines and suggestions for faculty and administrators who are called by journalists.

University philosophy: TOP

Cooperation with the media is fundamental to public relations. The best approach is to be honest and helpful.

With a few noteworthy exceptions, faculty and administrators are encouraged to speak directly with the news media who call. The exceptions are when the news involves:

  • Safety and security.
  • A crisis or an emergency.
  • University personnel, disciplinary proceedings or potential litigation.
  • An area where responsibility lies with or is shared by another administrative office.
  • A university-wide concern or policy.
  • A news conference.
  • A matter that you have already turned over to be handled by the University's public relations professionals.
  • Weather-related closings and re-openings.
In these cases, a central spokesperson(s) is best, and calls should be referred to the vice president for university relations or the Purdue News Service. Please be sure to keep these offices updated as events evolve.

To avoid confusion and ensure fairness to the various media, only designated Purdue offices are authorized to issue news releases or call news conferences: the Purdue News Service, Agricultural Communication Service, Athletic Public Relations Office, and comparable offices on the regional campuses. Generally, the information contained in the news releases should not be discussed with the media until those offices have released the news.

Bad news happens. When it does, the university's public relations offices try to share as much of the information as possible with all interested media at the same time. That way the story won't drag on for days as one news outlet tries to beat the other while the story unfolds piecemeal. This also may avoid one-sided and inaccurate stories.

It's better to be frank and open or to explain why you can't comment than to be unreachable or to just say "no comment." Most reporters understand there are times when you can't say everything about some situations. Even a general statement, however, is better than none at all.

Public relations help at Purdue WL: TOP

• Jeanne V. Norberg, director, Purdue News Service, 4-2084; home, 449-4986; cell: 491-1460; pager: 423-8662

• Chris Sigurdson, head, Agricultural Communication Service, when advice is needed for concerns related to the School of Agriculture, 4-8403; cell: 404-5959.

• Tom Schott, Assisant Director, Athletic Communications, when advice is needed for concerns related to intercollegiate athletics, 765-427-1721; cell: 765-49-43145 (Office)


Also available: "Working With the Media: Radio and Television," "Working With the Media: National News," and "Working With the Media: The Interview."


To the News Service home page