If you don't know or can't totally answer a question offer to get back with the reporter and then do so in a timely manner. Reasons for this are myriad but Calvin's philosophy of media relations contributes to the goodwill between the school and local media outlets. Calvin strives in its media relations program to be honest and forthright, particularly with information pertaining to emergencies, crimes, controversy and other events to which reporters have reasonable claim. This is accomplished through candor and cooperation. Hiding or suppressing bad news invariably leads to unhappy consequences.
Rumors is usually worse than fact.
The result is a fair and balanced account of what really happened, rather than a one-sided or distorted picture. In organizations where credibility is questioned, the media relations office generally is bypassed in seeking the facts in a story. The director of media relations is authorized to release information pertaining to emergencies, crimes, controversies, and other events to which the news media have a reasonable claim. Administrators are asked to keep the media relations office fully informed, both factually and promptly, about such activities in their areas of responsibility. Without it, no public relations person can maintain credibility with the media, whose reporters are quick to detect falsehood.