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Media engagement guidelines
The Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry values the important role of news media in sharing information with the public, and is committed to maintaining an open relationship with members of the media. We strive to provide timely and accurate information on School-related matters.
The Communications & Marketing department serves as the principal contact point for media inquiries and is the source of official information about the School. Matters of University-wide significance will be directed to Western University’s Director of Media Relations.
When to contact Communications & Marketing
- If you’re faculty, staff or a student and wish to engage with news media, or receive a media inquiry, we ask you to first coordinate with Schulich Medicine & Dentistry’s Director, Communications & Marketing.
- If you’re faculty, staff or a student working on media outreach or news releases with partner universities, industry partners or journals, please coordinate with the Director, Communications & Marketing.
- If you’re contacted directly by a member of the news media to speak about your area of expertise, we encourage you to connect first with the Director, Communications & Marketing.
- If you prefer to decline a media request, you’re free to do so. Please contact the Director, Communications & Marketing so that alternate experts may be offered where appropriate.
Quick rules
- Reporters, photographers and videographers are not permitted in School buildings without a communications escort. If faculty, staff or students receive a request from media to come on campus to take photographs or shoot video please contact the Director, Communications & Marketing.
- Only spokespeople designated by Schulich Medicine & Dentistry’s Communications & Marketing Department or Western University’s Media Relations Department should speak publicly on behalf of the School on matters related to its official position, issues of School-wide significance or sensitive situations.
- Media engagement after regular business hours, on weekends or statutory holidays should be directed to the Director, Communications & Marketing.
Note
Western University’s Policy 1.38 – Rights and Responsibilities of Academic Freedom affirms that academic freedom protects independent research and the publication of its results. It ensures that ideas can be expressed without fear of interference or repression from university administrators, politicians or others. In their capacity as researchers and scholars, individual researchers do not represent the views of the University.