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● Introduction & Index ● What is PR ● Job Expectations ● Types of Media ● Building Relationships ● Media, Hams & FCC Rules ● The Basic News Release ● Interviews and Live ● Making your own show ● Easy P.R. ● Public Service Events ● Piggy-back to Events ● Pictures NOW! ● P.R. Research Aids ● Making Friends ● ARES® PIO ● Final Exam Information |
Section 3 - Job Expectations
Types of PIOs - Self appointed, ARES, Club and ARRL PIOs Job Descriptions Resources available to you Goals of this section: Be able to name four types of PIOs and their roles Identify how an ARRL PIO is different Understand the responsibilities that go with being an ARRL PIO Begin to learn about the resources made available to PIOs and how to secure them for your own uses Types of PIOs There are a variety of situations which call for Public Relations work on the part of Amateur Radio operators and all sorts of people fill these needs. In general, there are four “classes” of PIOs or people doing PR work. 1. Self appointed These can be some of the best or some of the worst for Amateur Radio. Some are highly experienced media people while others are simply someone who sees a reporter or camera and wants their 15 minutes of fame to spout off on their own agenda. It is often from these sources that reporters get their quotes that “Ham radio is dying and irrelevant.” While many self appointed representatives can and do promote Amateur Radio, they are an unknown variable and can do great damage too. Because of this, many large organizations have very strict rules about who can and cannot speak to media about their group. We do not have such rules, nor should we. However, you need to be aware of who is saying what about about hams in your area (especially during a media event) and, if appropriate, thank them for their help - or ask them to stop immediately. 2. ARES® During the period around Hurricane Katrina, it became clear that many ARES groups were doing great work but not getting media coverage. This was not just in the hurricane, but in storms and floods all over the country. Often after-action reports were received weeks later that showed heroic actions that went unreported and ignored. On investigation, it appeared that the hams involved all grabbed their radios and went to work, but no one was designated to talk to the press. In response, many sections are developing “ARES PIOs.” to be at the Joint Information Center (JIC) as part of the Joint Information Service (JIS) and be sure that media knows about our role. Any “ARES PIO” should also be an “ARRL PIO” as defined below. |
