Bad press?

[valkyrie]

Can someone with media experience explain how a story about a lacrosse team's bad experience renting a house is newsworthy?

[adpiucf]

Originally Posted by Tom Earp

We are a supposed elite group fo persons and then do totally stupid things that make the news and it reflects upon all of us.

Elite, no. Exclusive, yes. The majority of active members: ages 18-23. You do the math on the scale of stupid decision making that goes on outside the organization's guidelines.

[DeltAlum]

Originally Posted by blueangel

Ouch! As a member of "the media" I find that generalization a bit unfair. "The media" also includes fraternity and sorority members (like me). There is no a conspiracy to unearth the secrets of fraternities and sororities. The news stories about hazing incidents occur because the media regularly reads police reports! If you don't want bad press about your fraternity or sorority, don't break the law.

It's nice to have an ally or two who are journalists.

What they've said above has been said before, but nobody really wants to hear it.

When you break the law, it will likely be reported because every media outlet checks with the police and other safety agencies. No newspaper or broadcast organization has enough staff to call every organization in town to find out if they're going to do something good. It's up to you to get the word out, and to do that, your chapter should have a meida relations person of some sort.

Saying that everything in the media is negative toward the Greek System is a cop out.

If you don't want to read bad things about yourself, don't do bad things.

Reporters don't make this stuff up. On the other side, if you want to read or hear something good about yourself, let the media know about it. Every good little thing you do won't make it into the paper or onto the evening news, but if you keep trying, sooner or later you will change what may be a bad attitude toward your chapter or the system.

One final time -- If you break the law, sooner or later you're bound to get that "bad ink." If you obey the rules and the law, you'll be fine. If you break the rules/law and get caught -- don't whine -- you brought it on yourself.

[Tom Earp]

So while all is true, does the news media look for more Eye Catching headlines than the Honey covered ones?

Tom, You know how I feel at times. I do get upset with some of the reporting, but I can also understand why Items are reported. It is Stupidity of said GLOs and then they wonder why?

It always seem bad is reported and good is last page with a 1/3 column.

I do know that We get a lot of press for our hot tub charity event! It is good PR and impressive to boot!

But, a 15 second spot is not a lot?

[WesternAlumn]

Here's the link to the original article:
http://www.canoe.ca/Slam/Lacrosse/20...86445-sun.html

and here's how one GLO's response to the original story:
http://lfpress.ca/newsstand/CityandR...88269-sun.html

[AGDee]

I think the fact that there is a second article talking about them cleaning it up helps a lot. Do they own that house or do they rent it? I know the Alpha Gams at UWO rent their house and sometimes have to fight with the landlord to get things done, but it's a really beautiful, old house with unique architecture.

[RACooper]

Originally Posted by WesternAlumn

Here's the link to the original article:
http://www.canoe.ca/Slam/Lacrosse/20...86445-sun.html

and here's how one GLO's response to the original story:
http://lfpress.ca/newsstand/CityandR...88269-sun.html

Okay...

Right first point I should make is that the LFP is always looking for negative articles about the debauchery of the UWO students... and Fraternities make even better targets than the nameless student. They've done exposes of Saugeen, they were the ones that printed numerous articles slamming any parties by the students (except for homecoming because of the $$$ that rolls into London), and of course the articles that constantly attacked The Ridout... until it was shut down.

As for how to combat the bad press... basically ignore it publically - so no angry letters to the editor, and no outbursts by members to the media looking for follow-up. Privately look to the issues that the article brought up; if they are even remotely valid then take measures to eliminate or mitigate them.

As for getting out good press - have a member or members draft "press-releases" to be sent out for philanthropy events, or community relations events (clean-ups, charities, and such), or even homecoming stories from alumni polishing the "townies" egos.

Finally don't get discouraged - after all I understand the frustration of dealing with the overwhelming negative stereotype that first comes to the minds of the Canadian press (and well Canadians in general)...... for our US readers: most in Canada don't really know that Fraternities exist in Canada, so getting the word out that they do exist is the first hurdle... and once that's done then next combatting the negative stereotypes out there - it's another step that can get very taxing at times.

[Oceangal]

Organizations that do well getting attention to their projects known how to promote them.
Do you know basic journalism style?
Do you know the name of the managing director, assignment editor, it depends on the media. Go in and meet them, find out when the are off daily deadline.
Ask them what is of interest.
Do you know their deadlines for copy? Alot of club events are put into a wrap up and that is written in advance.
Get a sense of what's good visually. Most papers, local stations stay away from the handing over check shot. Have members engaged in an activity.
Don't assume they (this is mainly local media this all applies to) won't be interested.
Ah, they won't be interested so why bother guarentees the result.
One never knows what will get attention, especially on a slow news day.
I spent a Saturday notebook in hand running around a steamy hot small town with a photographer doing a story on organization car washes. Yep, kid baseball teams, band boosters. It was the editor's idea, which meant it would be done. Had these groups not sent in their notices for the clubs page they wouldn't ended up on the front page article and story.
And when something bad happens, follow a crisis communication plan. If one isn't at hand, ask your national for ideas. Whatever, don't lie to the pesky press, defer to someone capable or cleared to handle such matters. You don't want to be seen in a sound bite followed by XYZ station has learned instead....