Statements and conditions
A first statement for bad news, and the conditions to ask for before a personal or painful story.
For bad news about an organization or business, the first statement is essential and the conditions list is optional. For a personal or painful story, the conditions list is essential and the first statement is optional. Bad news and personal stories explains both routes. Leave out names of people affected until the organization has checked privacy.
First statement
Essential for bad news (Bad news and personal stories); optional otherwise. Keep names of people affected out until the organization has checked privacy.
Conditions
Essential for a personal or painful story (Bad news and personal stories); optional otherwise. Reporters often agree to reasonable conditions but do not have to.
How to use this sheet
- Decide who speaks first. You, a spokesperson, or a written statement.
- Write conditions before you agree. A condition you add after the interview starts is much harder to hold.
- Say what you cannot share and why. A reason is not the same as "no comment."
Marcus Bell (fictional), owner of Bell's Bakery in the fictional town of Harlan Falls, writes a first statement after a health inspection closes a shop for a day because a cooler held at 47°F: what is known, that he is sorry, that the cooler is being repaired, what customers should do, and when he will update. Teresa Lindqvist (fictional) ticks "A support person present," "Topics that are off-limits," and "A signal to stop" for a taped podcast about a crosswalk.
The sheet is not legal advice or counseling. Whether a statement affects a lawsuit, an insurance claim, an inspection, an investigation or a prosecution is for the organization's lawyer or insurer, the investigating agency, or the prosecutor's victim advocate to say. You decide whether to speak.