F/3.4 Media relations

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3.4.1 Responding to media enquiries
3.4.2 Media access to campuses
3.4.3 QUT spokespersons
3.4.4 Issuing media releases
3.4.5 Academic comment in the media
3.4.6 Crisis communication
Modification History

3.4.1 Responding to media enquiries

The Marketing and Communication Department facilitates media contact with subject experts across the University and QUT Executive by proactively issuing news releases and story leads and by responding to incoming requests from journalists. The Marketing and Communication Department also provides advice and training to staff in dealing with media.

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3.4.2 Media access to campuses

Media representatives are permitted access to all campuses (campus parking staff require prior advice).

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3.4.3 QUT spokespersons

The Vice-Chancellor is principal spokesperson for QUT on matters of policy or corporate issues, but may delegate this role to an appropriate person, depending on the issue.

Generally, media enquiries are referred to Marketing and Communication Department to solicit a timely, accurate response.

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3.4.4 Issuing media releases

Official QUT media releases are issued only by Marketing and Communication Department. This ensures that

• the content is professionally written in journalistic style
• the story is unlikely to clash with another major QUT story issued on the same day
• the Department is aware of what stories are released as well as the availability of the spokespersons when media make enquiries.

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3.4.5 Academic comment in the media

Academic staff are encouraged to share their expertise with media on matters of community interest and to talk directly to media on matters within their area of qualification and expertise. Comment on matters outside the academic staff members' area of expertise should be made in their capacity as a private citizen.

Staff in Marketing and Communication Department who deal with journalists on a daily basis can help gain media attention and provide professional advice. The Department maintains a list of expertise of QUT staff to help media find appropriate interviewees.

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3.4.6 Crisis communication

When a critical incident occurs, many people internally and externally, including media, seek timely information and an official QUT response. In these situations

• a crisis team is assembled quickly by the Vice-Chancellor or nominee to establish the facts and to decide what action is necessary, including what needs to be communicated quickly to stakeholder groups
• a single spokesperson is appointed to handle media enquiries - all media enquiries are directed through Marketing and Communication Department
• Marketing and Communication Department, in conjunction with the appointed spokesperson, normally prepares a written media statement for issue as appropriate - the spokesperson must be available to answer questions, by phone or live, at any point during the crisis period.

After-hours telephone numbers of key QUT staff are available from Central Monitoring Services on ext 85585 at all times, as are numbers for the Marketing and Communication Director and Media Manager.

QUT has a Counter Disaster Plan for each campus to provide direction to persons who have a responsibility to respond to or undertake a role relating to any disaster or critical incident that may occur on the campus (see H/3.4.10 ).

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Modification History

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