Provide or share information. When both parties have access to the same information, miscommunication and misunderstanding can frequently be avoided. Obviously, there might be information that one party considers proprietary and does not wish to share, but just as often, there is information that both parties can use to better evaluate the situation. And sometimes it's as simple as the mediator letting both parties know what's going on elsewhere in the country or in a particular industry that would be relevant to the negotiations. Handle or help manage relations with the news media.
Mediators understand the sensitivity of negotiations.
They may ask the parties to refrain from making any statements to the news media while the talks are in progress, or at least, to avoid trying to negotiate in the press. At other times, the parties may ask the mediator to handle all press contact. The mediator can assess the impact of the negotiations on a community and decide what to say and what not to say. Federal mediators have an absolute commitment to confidentiality in collective bargaining, based on their experience in the process before they become mediators. The critical importance of mediator confidentiality to the process has been upheld in the courts.