I worked in TV news for a number of years, and I wrote a thing on media relations a couple of years ago:
Just a couple of points.
First, each house should have someone who is in charge of letting local media (campus or other) when they do good things.
Second, he/she should make it a point to make and stay in contact with someone in each of the local media.
The reason for the second is twofold. Number one is to help get the good things you do publicized. Number two is to have at least a somewhat friendly ear to listen to your side of a bad story and at least get the reporter doing the story to listen.
Reporters are supposed to be objective -- and most are -- but they're also human and have some preconceptions.
There are a lot more points I could make, but I think the important thing is to be proactive with your local media before a problem comes up.
By the way, Delts and some of the other Greek organizations at Colorado State got at least some good mentions after the unfortunate homecoming float situation following the Matthew Shepherd murder by being thoughtful and raising some money for the Shepherd family.
I guess I have to add one final word here. When you do something wrong, it's very easy to hide behind media bias and blame everything on news organizations. The best way to not have a problem with the media is don't screw up. Be good citizens.
Fraternally,
DeltAlum
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