A Handbook for News Agency Reporter

A news agency is an organization of journalists established to supply news reports to organizations in the news trade: newspapers, magazines, and radio and television broadcasters. These are known as wire services or news services. The purpose of this book is to provide a guideline for the communication of health risk information to diverse audiences in response to the risks posed by bio-terrorism and emerging infectious diseases. It is intended for public information staff and state public health officials who must respond to media and public concerns about public health emergencies—natural or man-made. It is critical to have a plan in place to deal with a crisis before it happens. This workbook and the accompanying webcasts are intended to help state health officials and public information officers work together to create crisis communication plans and messages.