Asia
Ready for the foreign press
A civil society coalition, South East Asia
- Region
- Asia
- Services
- Media Relations, Digital & Social, Crisis & Reputation
- Duration
- 4 months
Results
- spokespeople trained
- 22
- cities
- 4
- protocol used before polling day
- Twice
The challenge
A coalition of civic groups expected intense international attention ahead of a contested election, and a real risk of arrests and online smears. Its members were brave and articulate but had little experience of foreign media or coordinated digital security.
Our approach
We ran in-person and remote media training for 22 spokespeople across four cities, including hostile interview practice and safe handling of sensitive sources. We built a shared message framework, a rapid-response protocol for arrests or smears, and a verified contact list of foreign correspondents. We also set up basic digital security for their accounts.
The outcome
The protocol was triggered twice before polling day, once after a leader was detained and once after a coordinated smear campaign. Both times the coalition responded within two hours with a single, consistent voice, and was quoted accurately in international coverage.
When the worst happened, we already knew what to do.
Something brewing?
Most of our work starts with a quiet call before anything reaches the press. Tell us what's happening. We'll tell you honestly whether we can help.
Talk to us