ABSTRACT
Establishing and dealing with relationships with the media is, perhaps, one of the most important elements of a comprehensive emergency management program. To successfully navigate this complex—and at times frustrating—journey, we need to look at both the latest developments in media as well as its origins. This relationship, more than any other, has the potential to provide great benefits and credibility for an emergency management program, if navigated successfully. If not, this relationship can generate major problems and political upheaval for emergency management. This chapter will examine traditional media as well as new media—including citizen journalists and social media. A series of checklists for various elements of the media relationship and interactions is included.
