Closed meetings should be followed promptly by a press conference and press releases. Public officials may be wary of the press, but outright hostility will provoke antagonism. Instead, officials should seek out interested reporters and attempt to provide clear, detailed and thorough information regarding the project at hand. The clearer the presentation, the more likely it is to be accurately reported. Members of the press can also be valuable resources for conflict managers.
Reporters are often very informed about their community.
Giving thorough information and seeking the reporter's advice helps create mutual respect. Finally, officials should develop an explicit strategy for dealing with the media regarding the project at hand. The authors recommend a cooperative approach, which treats media members like interested members of the community. When approached in such a spirit, the press can actually become a valuable source of support.