Crisis Communications

## Initial statement template

[Organization] is aware of [brief description of situation].

We are actively [gathering information / investigating / monitoring the situation].

[If applicable: The safety of [stakeholders] is our top priority.]

We will provide updates as verified information becomes available.

For media inquiries: [contact]
For [affected parties]: [resource/hotline]

Last updated: [timestamp]

## Correction notice

**Correction [or Clarification]**: An earlier version of this [article/statement/post] [stated/implied] [incorrect information].

[If factual error]: The correct information is: [accurate facts].

[If misleading]: To clarify: [accurate context].

This [article/statement] has been updated to reflect accurate information.

We regret the error.

[Timestamp of correction]

## Retraction notice

**Retraction**: [Publication name] is retracting [article title], published on [date].

[Brief explanation of what was wrong]: Our reporting [stated/relied on] [problematic element]. Subsequent verification revealed [why it was wrong].

[What you're doing about it]: We have [removed/updated] the article and are reviewing our editorial processes.

[Accountability]: We apologize to [affected parties] and our readers.

The full text of the original article is available [here/on request] for transparency.

Questions: [contact]

from dataclasses import dataclass
from datetime import datetime
from typing import List, Dict
from collections import Counter

@dataclass
class CrisisMention:
    platform: str
    content: str
    author: str
    timestamp: datetime
    sentiment: str  # positive, negative, neutral, misinformation
    reach: int  # followers/potential impressions
    requires_response: bool = False

class CrisisMonitor:
    """Track crisis-related social mentions."""

    def __init__(self, crisis_keywords: List[str]):
        self.keywords = crisis_keywords
        self.mentions: List[CrisisMention] = []

    def add_mention(self, mention: CrisisMention):
        self.mentions.append(mention)

    def get_dashboard(self) -> dict:
        """Real-time crisis overview."""
        recent = [m for m in self.mentions
                  if (datetime.now() - m.timestamp).seconds < 3600]

        return {
            'total_mentions_1h': len(recent),
            'sentiment_breakdown': self._sentiment_counts(recent),
            'top_platforms': self._platform_counts(recent),
            'misinformation_count': len([
                m for m in recent
                if m.sentiment == 'misinformation'
            ]),
            'high_reach_negative': [
                m for m in recent
                if m.sentiment == 'negative' and m.reach > 10000
            ],
            'pending_responses': len([
                m for m in self.mentions
                if m.requires_response
            ])
        }

    def _sentiment_counts(self, mentions: List[CrisisMention]) -> Dict:
        return dict(Counter(m.sentiment for m in mentions))

    def _platform_counts(self, mentions: List[CrisisMention]) -> Dict:
        return dict(Counter(m.platform for m in mentions))

## Should we respond to this?

### High priority (respond quickly)
- [ ] Factual misinformation spreading rapidly
- [ ] Direct question from journalist
- [ ] Affected party seeking help
- [ ] Influential account spreading false info

### Medium priority (respond thoughtfully)
- [ ] General negative sentiment
- [ ] Questions about our response
- [ ] Comparisons to competitors' handling

### Low priority / Do not engage
- [ ] Obvious trolling
- [ ] Bad faith actors
- [ ] Pile-on with no new claims
- [ ] Emotional venting (let it pass)

### Never respond
- [ ] While angry
- [ ] With unverified information
- [ ] In a way that escalates conflict
- [ ] By deleting legitimate criticism

from dataclasses import dataclass
from typing import List, Optional
from datetime import datetime

@dataclass
class CrisisTeamMember:
    name: str
    role: str
    phone: str
    email: str
    backup: Optional['CrisisTeamMember'] = None

@dataclass
class CrisisLog:
    """Maintain record of all crisis decisions."""
    entries: List[dict] = None

    def __post_init__(self):
        self.entries = self.entries or []

    def log(self, action: str, decision_maker: str,
            rationale: str, outcome: str = "pending"):
        self.entries.append({
            'timestamp': datetime.now().isoformat(),
            'action': action,
            'decision_maker': decision_maker,
            'rationale': rationale,
            'outcome': outcome
        })

    def export_for_postmortem(self) -> str:
        """Generate timeline for after-action review."""
        lines = ["# Crisis Response Timeline\n"]
        for entry in self.entries:
            lines.append(
                f"**{entry['timestamp']}** - {entry['action']}\n"
                f"- Decision by: {entry['decision_maker']}\n"
                f"- Rationale: {entry['rationale']}\n"
                f"- Outcome: {entry['outcome']}\n"
            )
        return '\n'.join(lines)

## Crisis status update [number]

**As of**: [timestamp]
**Next update**: [scheduled time]

### Current situation
[2-3 sentence summary of where things stand]

### What we know
- [Confirmed fact 1]
- [Confirmed fact 2]

### What we're working on
- [Action item 1] - [owner]
- [Action item 2] - [owner]

### Key decisions made
- [Decision] - [rationale]

### Immediate next steps
1. [Next action]
2. [Next action]

### Resources needed
- [Resource/support needed]

---
**Contact**: [Crisis lead name and number]

## Post-crisis review template

### Timeline reconstruction
- When did we first learn of the crisis?
- When did we first respond publicly?
- Key decision points and timing

### What went well
- [Specific success 1]
- [Specific success 2]

### What could improve
- [Gap or failure 1] → [Recommended fix]
- [Gap or failure 2] → [Recommended fix]

### Process questions
- Did escalation work as intended?
- Were the right people involved?
- Did we have accurate information when needed?
- Was external communication timely and accurate?

### Specific improvements
- [ ] Update crisis protocol to address [gap]
- [ ] Train team on [identified weakness]
- [ ] Add [resource/tool] for future incidents

### Documentation
- All communications archived: [ ] Yes
- Decision log complete: [ ] Yes
- Media coverage compiled: [ ] Yes

## Misinformation response checklist

### Before responding
- [ ] Is this claim spreading significantly?
- [ ] Will our response reach the affected audience?
- [ ] Could responding amplify the false claim?

### The response formula
1. **Lead with truth** (don't repeat the myth first)
2. **Be specific** about what's accurate
3. **Explain briefly** why the false claim is wrong
4. **Provide source** for accurate information

### Example structure
GOOD: "The event starts at 7pm at City Hall. Some posts incorrectly listed the time as 5pm."

BAD: "Some people are saying the event is at 5pm. That's wrong. It's actually at 7pm."
(Repeating the myth first reinforces it)

## Field safety checklist

### Before deployment
- [ ] Editor knows your location and check-in schedule
- [ ] Emergency contacts updated
- [ ] Phone charged, backup battery
- [ ] First aid basics reviewed
- [ ] Exit routes identified

### During coverage
- [ ] Regular check-ins maintained
- [ ] Location sharing active
- [ ] Press credentials visible
- [ ] Recording when safe to do so
- [ ] Not taking unnecessary risks for story

### If situation escalates
- [ ] Leave immediately if directed
- [ ] Follow crowd flow, don't fight it
- [ ] Protect equipment but not at personal risk
- [ ] Contact newsroom ASAP