Media Relations Policy
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It is the policy of Doctors Nova Scotia to assist the media whenever possible to receive accurate and up‐to‐date information on the association’s position on medical and health issues, as well as the association’s programs and initiatives. As delegated by the president and chief executive officer, the director of communications is responsible for the release of all information to the media and for advising the association’s executive, board members, and staff on appropriate media responses. The association’s staff and members are asked to follow the association’s media relations policy, when speaking on behalf of Doctors Nova Scotia. The communications department liaises, as necessary, with the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) regarding the release of information with the media. Procedure The president is the official spokesperson for Doctors Nova Scotia. For media seeking background, the director of communications, in consultation with the chief executive officer and president, may have staff speak with media on specific and appropriate technical information. Physicians receiving a call from the media on Doctors Nova Scotia business are asked to contact the communications department prior to speaking to the media. As well, anyone speaking on non‐association business is strongly encouraged to contact the communications department for information and/or guidance. For those physicians serving on the association’s executive or board of directors, please remember that when you are speaking with the media, whether it be relating to Doctors Nova Scotia business or another issue, it can be construed that you are speaking on behalf of the association, regardless of whether or not this is the case. It is, therefore, essential that these members contact the communications department upon receiving a media call and prior to speaking to the media. Communications staff who have spoken with the media will fill out a media contact form as a record of their conversation and this will then be kept on file for future reference. Intent The intent of this policy is to provide a consistent approach when dealing with the media. Doctors Nova Scotia also strives to offer information in a time sensitive fashion, recognizing the media’s responsibility to provide the public with accurate, complete and timely information.