Whatever the approach chosen, it is important that the commission/mission discusses this early on and decides on a media strategy, and does not simply react to events and media pressure. Factors that should be taken into consideration in deciding a public information and media strategy include: • Ensuring the public, the States concerned and other States are adequately informed of the commission’s/mission’s work. • Avoiding any perception that the commission/mission has already reached its conclusions before gathering and analysing the full range of information. • Countering any misinformation in the media about the commission/mission and/or members which may have an impact on its ability to fulfil its mandate effectively. • Determining whether a statement by the commission/mission could have a positive or negative impact on a rapidly evolving human rights situation in which additional serious violations may occur. • Responding to key events or developments that could have an impact on the commission’s/mission’s work or the situation in the country concerned. The commission’s/mission’s lifespan, whether short or longer, may have a major impact on how the above criteria are interpreted. In addition, the stature, prominence or high profile of any member of the commission/mission may affect the extent and frequency of engagement with the media. 5. AT THE END OF THE COMMISSION’S WORK The modalities of the public release of the report have to be considered in connection with the specific mandate and the mandating authority. In some situations, it may be appropriate, or even required, to release the report or an advance copy of it prior to the formal presentation to the mandating authority. For example, reports presented to the Human Rights Council are usually published ahead of their actual formal presentation. The media strategy must then take into account that the report will be in the public domain before its official presentation by the commission/mission. A commission/mission normally presents its report at a formal meeting of the mandating authority. It will usually arrange a press conference immediately afterwards, make a public statement and answer questions from the media. Members may also accede to requests for interviews to give additional publicity to their findings and recommendations. A summary of the commission’s/mission’s findings and key facts about its work may be useful for distribution to the media, together with a press statement, especially for 86 COMMISSIONS OF INQUIRY AND FACT-FINDING MISSIONS ON INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS AND HUMANITARIAN LAW