LinkedIn and 3rd parties use essential and non-essential cookies to provide, secure, analyze and improve our Services, and to show you relevant ads (including professional and job ads) on and off LinkedIn. Learn more in our Cookie Policy.

Select Accept to consent or Reject to decline non-essential cookies for this use. You can update your choices at any time in your settings.

Agree & Join LinkedIn

By clicking Continue to join or sign in, you agree to LinkedIn’s User Agreement, Privacy Policy, and Cookie Policy.

Skip to main content
LinkedIn
  • Top Content
  • People
  • Learning
  • Jobs
  • Games
Join now Sign in
Last updated on Jan 17, 2025
  1. All
  2. Oil and Gas
  3. Petroleum Engineering

You're facing community backlash over oil exploration. How do you navigate media inquiries effectively?

When your company faces backlash over sensitive issues like oil exploration, addressing media inquiries with finesse is crucial. Here's how to maintain your composure and credibility:

- Prepare a unified message that reflects your company's values and commitment to responsible practices.

- Be transparent and factual, providing clear information while avoiding defensiveness.

- Engage with local communities and stakeholders to build trust and demonstrate accountability.

How do you handle tough media questions while maintaining trust? Share your strategies.

Oil & Gas Oil & Gas

Oil & Gas

+ Follow
Last updated on Jan 17, 2025
  1. All
  2. Oil and Gas
  3. Petroleum Engineering

You're facing community backlash over oil exploration. How do you navigate media inquiries effectively?

When your company faces backlash over sensitive issues like oil exploration, addressing media inquiries with finesse is crucial. Here's how to maintain your composure and credibility:

- Prepare a unified message that reflects your company's values and commitment to responsible practices.

- Be transparent and factual, providing clear information while avoiding defensiveness.

- Engage with local communities and stakeholders to build trust and demonstrate accountability.

How do you handle tough media questions while maintaining trust? Share your strategies.

Add your perspective
Help others by sharing more (125 characters min.)
39 answers
  • Contributor profile photo
    Contributor profile photo
    Nitu Thakur

    Petroleum Engineer| Mentor| Researcher

    • Report contribution

    In the oil and gas industry, operations are often in remote areas where land acquisition poses unique challenges without a "one size fits all" solution. Media has become an intrinsic part of this process, sometimes adding complexity. Hence, it is important to have harmonious relationship with the local community and develop a deep understanding of the ecosystem. The key is to clear communicate, involving the local community in decision making process and respecting their concerns and fostering media relationships with regular updates sharing successes in sustainability and community support.

    Like
    22
  • Contributor profile photo
    Contributor profile photo
    Dawlat Hashem

    Digital Transformation Consultant.  Mideast Communication Systems (MCS) Over 30 years of experience in the digital transformation. Former Vice Chairman for Communications & Information Technology in EGAS

    • Report contribution

    1. Prepare a Clear Message to acknowledge community concerns with empathy. 2. Designate a Spokesperson to ensure that only trained representatives handle media interactions. 3. Engage quickly don’t wait for the media to control the narrative 4. Stay calm and professional, even in tough interviews and stick to facts. 5. Monitor the media and Adapt to public response.

    Like
    14
  • Contributor profile photo
    Contributor profile photo
    Chidi Ezenwe (C.Eng MIGEM, MIMarEST)

    Engineering Team Leader (SP&S) Nigeria @ Baker Hughes | Chartered Engineer | Subsea Engineer | Piping Engineer | Project Manager | Project Engineer EPC | Engineering Manager EPC | Interface Engineer | Service Engineer

    • Report contribution

    Develop clear, concise key messages that address the concerns of the community and highlight your commitment to safety and environmental responsibility. Hold public meetings to listen to community concerns and provide updates on your actions. Involve community leaders in the decision-making process to build trust and demonstrate your commitment to addressing their concerns Have a crisis management plan in place that includes protocols for handling media inquiries and community backlash. Be honest about the situation, what went wrong, and what steps are being taken to address the issues

    Like
    9
  • Contributor profile photo
    Contributor profile photo
    Vinod Kumar Madem

    Reservoir Engineer || SPE International

    • Report contribution

    Handling tough media questions effectively is essential to maintaining trust and credibility. Emphasizing commitment to sustainability where highlighting initiatives that we are taking toward environmental protection and community engagement shows our proactive steps. It is also imperative to discuss what our next plans would be in response to community concerns, such as engaging in dialogue or investing in renewable energy initiatives to offer solutions that give insights on future actions

    Like
    9
  • Contributor profile photo
    Contributor profile photo
    Ashish Fatnani

    Oil & Gas Strategy | Digital Transformation | Angel Investor

    • Report contribution

    The oil and gas industry is at a crossroads, with the world pushing for energy transition while relying on over 6,000 products derived from petroleum. This disconnect highlights the need for greater public awareness. One solution is to diversify portfolios, much like the tobacco industry, and educate audiences on the industry’s role beyond energy. While scaling alternative energy sources, some dependency on oil will remain. Marketing should shift the focus from “oil and gas” to achieving net-zero goals, emphasizing innovation and sustainability. Highlighting advancements in cleaner technologies and collaboration on global energy solutions could foster a more balanced perspective.

    Like
    6
  • Contributor profile photo
    Contributor profile photo
    Sabrina Howard

    Managing Partner | Bird & Bird LLP | International Technology & Innovation Law Leader

    • Report contribution

    Navigating media inquiries during community backlash over oil exploration requires a strategic and thoughtful approach. Here are some tips to handle it effectively: 1. Be Transparent: Start by acknowledging the community's concerns. Do not ignore them. 2. Develop Key Messages: Have well-prepared statements that address the key issues. Ensure these messages are consistent. 3. Engage with the Community: Organize community meetings to hear directly from residents and address their concerns. 4. Work with Experts: Partner with environmental experts to conduct independent assessments and share these findings with the public. 5. Demonstrate Accountability: Ensure that promises made to the community are followed through with tangible actions.

    Like
    4
  • Contributor profile photo
    Contributor profile photo
    Islam Khalifa

    Well Test supervisor at TAQA (Industrialization & Energy Services Company)

    • Report contribution

    Address community concerns with transparency, emphasize responsible practices, engage in open dialogue, and maintain consistent, empathetic messaging across all media channels.

    Like
    4
  • Contributor profile photo
    Contributor profile photo
    Vaibhav Poladia

    Head of Operations @ Conex Energy (SL) LTD.

    • Report contribution

    > Prepare a unified message that reflects your company's values and commitment to responsible practices. > Engage with local communities and stakeholders to build trust and demonstrate accountability.

    Like
    4
  • Contributor profile photo
    Contributor profile photo
    Doug Wearley

    I help business leaders source top passive talent * Building connections that drive success

    • Report contribution

    Give them the facts or tell them to go watch the TV show "Landman" It's crucial to engage openly and honestly. I communicate the commitment to safety, environmental stewardship, and community benefits clearly. Providing factual, transparent responses and being available for follow-up questions helps manage the situation and maintain our credibility. #landman #oilandgas #energy #oilandgasrecruiter #accountingrecruiter #accountingandfinancerecruiter

    Like
    3
  • Contributor profile photo
    Contributor profile photo
    Naimat Ullah

    Senior Production Engineer at Pakistan Petroleum Limited

    • Report contribution

    Social services and community development are the basics and same are efficient. Moreover, effective portrayal in the form of presentation, briefing, etc for showing the real perspective to masses is also beneficial.

    Like
    3
View more answers
Oil & Gas Oil & Gas

Oil & Gas

+ Follow

Rate this article

We created this article with the help of AI. What do you think of it?
It’s great It’s not so great

Thanks for your feedback

Your feedback is private. Like or react to bring the conversation to your network.

Tell us more

Report this article

More articles on Oil & Gas

No more previous content
  • What strategies would you employ to mitigate potential conflicts between community members and project staff?

    3 contributions

  • Your pipeline team is divided over new technologies. How do you resolve the conflicts?

  • How would you lead your team during a sudden oil spill crisis?

  • Your team is facing oil price instability. How can you foster resilience among them?

  • Balancing safety and costs is crucial in the oil and gas industry. How do you find the perfect equilibrium?

    3 contributions

  • You're managing a pipeline project. How can you satisfy stakeholders and stick to your budget?

    4 contributions

No more next content
See all

More relevant reading

  • Mining Engineering
    How can you align sampling and assaying activities with global marine resource principles?
  • Geology
    What are the best ways to structure and organize your EIA report?
  • Oil & Gas
    How can you effectively communicate with stakeholders about the benefits of oil exploration in their area?
  • Field Development
    How do you update and revise field development plans based on new information and feedback?

Are you sure you want to delete your contribution?

Are you sure you want to delete your reply?

  • LinkedIn © 2025
  • About
  • Accessibility
  • User Agreement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Copyright Policy
  • Brand Policy
  • Guest Controls
  • Community Guidelines
Like
10
39 Contributions