W8CMK – Webinar: Hams, Emergencies and the News
ARES and emergency groups have had their hands full in the past months. Time and again Amateur Radio was called upon to provide emergency communications. In some places the hams made the news and were highly praised. In other places the community never knew they were there because no one worked with the news media.
On the evening of November 3, 2011 there will be a special webinar hosted by the ARRL national Public Relations Committee (PRC) for PIOs, group leaders and hams that want to learn how to appropriately work with media in an emergency situation.
Key presenters will be Howard Price, KA2QPJ, of ABC News in New York and Mark Kraham, W8CMK, Chairman of the national Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA). RTDNA represents local and network news executives in broadcasting, cable and other electronic media in more than 30 countries. Together, they will discuss the needs of news media in events and what hams can provide to reporters. A panel of veteran hams, ARES leaders and PIOs will look into how we can effectively meet those needs.
We all say we want Amateur Radio to grow and be recognized for its service to the community, but without good local media relations our actions are unknown. “If it did not get in the media, it never happened,” said Allen Pitts, W1AGP, at ARRL headquarters. “The national Public Relations Committee recognizes this and is determined to help resolve the problem.”