I will prepare how many cases we had in the past years and how they were dealt with. She should explain the mechanism the UN has to report and the internal laws.

She could not make a difference if the personnel were local or international.

She could not make a difference if the personnel were local or international.

What would you advise the RC to say in the interview? What would you advise her not to say?

I would help the RC formulate the key taking points based on the information at hand, train/remind her about body language (acknowledging the gravity of the situation, etc), pacing her answers, reiterating the zero tolerance stance of the UN, if the issue of impunity is brought, perhaps referring to recent tough actions taken by UN, etc.
I would also advise the RC on the usual style of the CNN anchor and therefore anticipate the style of questioning.

What is the set up? How is the background? If possible, I will check the chairs (height, etc) and ensure that the lighting is not to strong to make the interviewee uncomfortable.

Who will be the interviewer? To analyses his/her style asking 

 

Advise to RC:
DO's:
- Stay calm and serene in in the face of potentially provocative questions or remarks.
_ Show compassion and empathy with victims
- Stress the UN is taking the issue extremely seriously (investigations and reporting will be made public and Accountability upheld)
- Stress the UN 's zero policy 
- If needed, recall that the UN is not "Aristotle's idealistic city"; Like any human setting it could experience shortcomings but it is a principled organization enforcing the principles of Human Rights, accountability , transparency and Zero tolerance

Dont's:
- Do not react with emotion in case of accusations or harsh criticism to the UN and its "history of abuses"
_ Not use very formal UN Jargon or too official wording

1.     How long will the interview last?

2.     Who else will be interviewed alongside the RC?

3.     What are the key areas/topics of the interview?

4.     Is the interview going to be live or pre-recorded interview/physical or visual?

5.     Who is going to be the interviewer?

What would you advise the RC to say in the interview? What would you advise her not to say?

1.       Stay calm and composed

2.       Face the camera 

3.       Avoid UN jargons.

4.       Speak concisely 

5.     Focus on key messages when face with difficult question

6.     Show compassion and empathy with victims

-       Are there specific slants of the issue, on top of the overall allegations, that the interviewer would like to focus on?

-       Have they [the journalists/media outlet] got hold of other sources/reference materials other than those already provided by the UN/my agency? ie, anything from the community/victims/survivors, or the country’s government agencies? 

-       Who else have they been and will be speaking with – heads of other UN agencies, other levels (HQ-New York, etc)?

-       Is there a chance to perhaps have a look at an overall draft of questions, so I can prep the RC better with the facts to provide accordingly.

-       The basics: who is/are the interviewer/s, format, details of the setup, schedule, length, etc.

 

I would advise the RC to focus on:

-       Stick to the facts, and outline the current efforts being done both at an agency-level and at a broader UN-level.

-       Humanise the issue, and appeal to the humanity of the viewers.

-       Express remorse on the issue, and commit to follow through with the investigation.

-       Assure a fully transparent and objective process, and full accountability as end-goal; and remain open to being asked for updates by the press throughout the entire process.

-       Reinforce the agency’s (and the whole UN’s) commitment to the programmes being rolled out in the country; and that these shall continue no matter what. 

-       Focus on the collaborative inter-agency (and One UN) approach.

-       Prior to the interview, make a quick check-in call with government counterparts, especially from ministries involved in the programme under which the allegations took place.

 

I would caution against:

-       Overtly deflecting blame.

-       Giving too much information; rather, keep it short and official, but not scrimp on details.

-       Pointing the blame to another UN agency, even if it has been proven, or when the allegations are more serious against them.

-       Naming concerned persons (victims, investigators, etc)

-       Asking for journalists’ source(s) of their reports as basis for their questions.

 

RC could be advised to stick to the facts, to the efforts to prevent similar incident in the future, to show empathy and support for the victims. 

-Who is doing the interview?

-The format of the interview?

-What questions are they planning to ask, or the main focus of the interview?

-How long is the interview for?

-Is anyone else being interviewed for the segment and if so, who?

-I would also share if there are any areas that the RC will not address.

 

The RC should be prepped on the key messages, including any background on other similar UN cases and additional questions the journalist has shared, and be advised to stick to them as well as to be empathic and not aggressive or defensive. 

2.     Who else will be interviewed alongside the RC?

3.     What are the key areas/topics of the interview?

4.     Is the interview going to be live or pre-recorded interview/physical or visual?

5.     Who is going to be the interviewer and what is their take on the situation/key message they want to advance? 

For the RC: 
I would advise her to stay on the message, express sincere empathy for the victims (put yourself mentally in the shoes of others), use bridges to guide the message to positive cases of what the UN has done for the country and train gestures and smile. I would also advise her to use "bridging" and seize this opportunity to promote the UN work in the country

·       Ask about the timing and duration of the interview? About the crew? About the outcome of the interview? Which news anchor will undertake the interview? If any other person/organization will be interviewed on this matter? 

·       Ask if the journalist has access to the UN’s SEA material as this will help frame the discussion and avoid unnecessary questions.

To RC:
·       Prepare a background note that includes the UN policies, networks, and plans for countering sexual exploitation and abuse. Ask the RC to stress that there are no exceptions to zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse by UN personnel and implementing partners.   

·       Ensure the RC uses the appropriate emotional tone and body language when conveying his/her messages.

·       Advise the RC to start with an opening statement that acknowledges the victims and to assure that investigation is underway. 

·       Remind the RC NOT to share any personal details on the staff being investigated.

·       Remind the RC not to be defensive to the media’s questions. After all, their right and duty are to ask challenging and tough questions.

·       Stress that the UN has policies in place and regular awareness-raising training being held for UN Personnel and implementing partners, particularly humanitarian partners, to prevent sexual abuse and misconduct. Also mention that the UN has appropriate referral mechanisms that would help ensure no such cases of SEA would happen in the future. 

·       Survivors and victims should be at the center of the RC messages, i.e. the RC must put the victims first in his/her messaging. The RC can highlight here the UN’s support to victims and survivors, with regards to providing immediate services such as legal aid, psychological support, maybe shelter and basic assistance, medical care etc. 

What would be helpful in preparing for the CR?

What would you advise the CR to say in the interview?

What would you advise him/her not to say?

 

How long will it take? What will be the focus or questions if he agrees to give it? It would be helpful to prepare after that a “If Asked”

 

DONTS

Give names, agencies, and citizenship of accused agents

DO

Share common approved message

- Look at precedents/previous interviews held following such incident and the kind of questions that were raised.
- Ensure the RC has strong key messages to share; provide talking points to the different potential questions. 
- Make sure to acknowledge his/her understanding of the situation and the harm that was caused; the situation of the victims
- Explain what is being done in terms of investigation and its consequences
- Focus on preventive measures that are in place and key lessons learned
- Ask the RC to finish by hilighting previous positive achievements in Tonga
In terms of appearance 
- Work on the body language, tone of voice, posture, gesture, look (clothes, makeup) fit for the occasion

What would you advise the RC to say in the interview? What would you advise her not to say?
- Make sure she has the 3 holding lines and the General Secretary's quote and build her messages along these important indicators.  The messages that should be emphasized again and again is the UN's ZERO tolerance on SEA and the UN takes any abuse by staff very seriously.
- A difficult question could be that if the UN really take SEA, why could the UN allow such case to happen and staff could still be there for 20 years?
- She should not say beyond what should be said in terms of the UN's current and future actions.
- In terms of background, we should also do the background check on all the cases and provide her as much info as possible to equip her with this. Also, give her background on the media that will interview her...

For the news producer, main questions and points would be.

 

For R.C

·       Will the segment be live or recorded? If recorded, when will it be aired?

·       How long will the segment be?

·       Which journalist will lead the interview?

·       Will it be just the RC, or is there more people invited to address this issue? (local justice/police officers, former UN staff, victims of similar crimes, etc.)

·       Are there any questions ready that you can share with us?

·       Did you receive our latest statements on this issue?

 

·       The RC should be briefed about the key messages drafted by the UNCG, and she should receive talking points in preparation for the interview

·       She should be instructed to:

o   Start by showing empathy and consideration for the victims

o   Behave concerned but not aggressive, and serious but not hostile

o   State that the UN takes these allegations with utmost seriousness, and that the investigation will be conducted in accordance with the standards of transparency and care for the victims that are due in this situation

o   Be brief, concise and polite

o   Be dressed accordingly, and make sure that her background is appropriate

o   Avoid mentions to individuals and/or Agencies – refer to the organization as ONE UN

o   Avoid promising sanctions and/or investigations that are yet not taking place

Make sure I am aware of the interview setup 

Have a brief with the RC on the interview main questions and proposed answers
stress on the UN regulations and procedures followed in such cases. 
stress on showing empathy with the victims for being in this position yet without admitting guilt. 

 

For the RC, I would suggest him/her to stick with the key messags we are going deliver even if the interviewers try to push him/her to go beyond this issue. I would advise him/her with possible risks if interviewers respond more forcefully to make RC answer the question and not to be panic or 🤬 off but respond him/her sincerely why we care about it and what we are going to do about it.

- Clarify the setting (is it live or recorded), when and where it’ll be aired; if recorded, can we get a copy of the final cut before it’s aired? 

- Ask for a list of potential questions if possible 

- I would advise RC to stick to key messages and bridge any difficult questions back to key messages. Also I’d advise to bring in empathy for the victims in the interview, including in the body language. 

- I’d fully brief the RC on the interview environment and run several mock interviews with RC to prepare them. 

- Schedule a bit of time in advance of the interview with the interviewer for the RC to have a chance to establish a “human connection”

-          Request information on the interview time, place and format (length, setting, live/recorded)

-          Discuss anticipated questions, and, if possible, to get the questions in advance in writing.

 

-          From the above information prepare the RC accordingly.

-          Prepare a list of possible questions and do a dry run preparation

-          Advice RC to be calm, composed and to stick to the prepared media lines to take.

-Will you like the latest background information and communication materials (and provide these)?

Can we get a copy of the recorded interview?  
 

Preparing the RC:
-Go through the questions sent by the producer.

-Go through the talking points and crisis key messages.

-Review information of previous cases of sexual exploitation and abuse in the UN.
 -Do a rehearsal making sure RC delivers clear, short key messages using appropriate tone and body language.

·        How many questions and what they are?

What would be helpful to prepare the RC?

·        Elaborate updated Lines To Take; media defensive lines

What would you advise the RC to say in the interview? What would you advise her not to say?
-Explain the important job the UN does around the world
-Saying that the UN takes really seriously these allegations and give detail if possible of the internal work that is going on to respond to them and find out the truth 
-talk about the consequences for the people responsable 
-Not to mention other previous cases or scandals of this sort
-not to mention specific names or staff members details 
-Not to acknowledge everything is ok and saying the UN is not responsible

What are the exact questions?

What mean will be used or platform or will a team come to the office and build a setup is it with Skype?

How long will the interview be?

Is it live or recorded?

I’ll tell him to get our approval before publishing it.

Who else will be talking in the session or that day's episode?

If there is any evidence or reports that they will air?

What to prepare for the RC:

A flow of information that she needs to highlight.

The key message we are planning to disseminate and concentrate on.

Example of hard questions that she might be asked.

Media brief on the issue what are people saying about the issue.

Who else from the UN did speak to the UN and what did they say.

What should the RC say and Don't say:

To remain objective.

To reveal new information, so that the UN gets more credibility and trusty.

To indirectly address rumors and misinformation by stating the right information.

To concentrate on the key message.

1- how long is the interview? 

2- Who is interviewing the RC? What is their pronouns?

3- What format will it be in?

4- Can you share the questions or the focus of the interview?

5- What data/numbers are you interested to ask about?

6- 

For RC

1- Prepare key messages and general script on different topics anticipated to be brought up

2- Share key data that is/could be of interest to the interviewer

3- Share background on the newspaper/interviewer: professional and personal to bring them to use when relevant — for example, if the interviewer has a daughter or a sister, how can that information be leveraged into our advantage while answering (RC: Our mission is ensure that my daughter and your daughter and their friends are protected, regardless of where they are)

4- scenarios of how to handle difficult questions politely 

5- How to use the rule of 3 in difficult questions to center the attention about 3 main key messages to be highlighted: 3 main steps, 3 main actions, etc.

6- avoid details, avoid names, avoid sharing uncertain information

7- balance empathy with firmness/stength

.