An EMB website provides an efficient one-stop location for media, electorate and greater public alike.  An EMB website will have many different sections, one of which should be media relations (or public relations).   This is a place to post press releases/statements, pre-recorded audio and video material, news articles of relevance (that are neutral or explain the work of an EMB), contact information, invitations to press conference and briefings, election footage and so forth.  By maintaining a website, a Media Relations Department can create, in effect, a virtual briefing pack. Moreover, it is one that can be constantly updated by the addition of new material as it becomes available. It will also be possible to run a results service through the web site.

In addition, EMBs are increasingly taking advantage of other new media to communicate with the traditional media and the public. Many have active Facebook pages and Twitter accounts. Some will respond to media inquiries and feedback by email, or even SMS. Some opt for announcing press conferences by SMS to their list of media contacts. As access by media and the public to new media grows, so will the need and potential for EMBs to utilise it for media relations.

Of course, levels of access to the Internet and other new media vary dramatically from location to location and this should be taken into account (See the section on New Media for information on Internet access around the world, and on EMBs’ utilisation of new media).  It is important that any information distributed via a website is simultaneously distributed via other means, guaranteeing that outreach is nationwide and/or accommodates lack of Internet resources.  Something a Media Relations Department might also want to consider is the provision of access to a public computer(s) at EMB field departments, and subsequently inform media in these areas that they can access EMB information freely at these locations.