VHPA Media and Public Communications Policy

VHPA Media and Public Communications Policy

The reputation, integrity, and public credibility of Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America (“VHPA”) are among its most valuable assets. VHPA is committed to ensuring that all public communications are accurate, consistent, responsible, and aligned with the organization’s mission, values, and legal obligations.

To protect the organization and ensure appropriate coordination of all external communications, all media inquiries, public statements, and official communications concerning VHPA shall be managed exclusively through the below VHPA Media Relations Team.

VHPA Media Relations Team

The following individuals serve as the authorized VHPA Media Relations Team:

Shyam Tiwari — Main Spokesperson
Amitabh Mittal — General Secretary
Tejal Shah — President

Policy

1. Authority Over Media CommunicationsAll requests for comment, interviews, statements, clarifications, or other communications from members of the media must be referred promptly to the VHPA Media Relations Team.

   No VHPA member, Governing Council member, chapter representative, volunteer, employee, office bearer, or affiliated individual shall, without prior review and express authorization from the VHPA Media Relations Team should:

   respond to media inquiries;
   initiate contact with the media on behalf of VHPA;
   provide statements, comments, interviews, or background information relating to VHPA;
   publish, post, circulate, or distribute any message, video, article, press statement, or public communication representing or appearing to represent VHPA.

   This restriction applies whether the communication is verbal, written, electronic, recorded, or posted through any public or semi-public platform.

   Only individuals specifically authorized by VHPA and, where applicable, those who have completed approved media training, may serve as spokespersons or communicate with the media on behalf of VHPA.

2. Social Media and Digital CommunicationsNo person shall post messages, videos, graphics, commentary, or other content on social media on behalf of VHPA unless such content has been reviewed, vetted, and approved in advance by the VHPA Media Relations Team.

   This requirement applies to all official or quasi-official communications made in VHPA’s name, using VHPA branding, logos, titles, programs, chapter identities, or in any manner that could reasonably be interpreted as an official VHPA communication.

   Individuals remain personally responsible for ensuring that their personal social media activity does not falsely imply that they are speaking for or representing VHPA unless expressly authorized to do so.

3. Scope of the PolicyThis policy applies to all communications concerning, relating to, or reasonably associated with:

   VHPA, its chapters, affiliates, programs, projects, events, seva activities, and services;
   current or former leaders, office bearers, members, employees, volunteers, or representatives of VHPA acting in their organizational capacity;
   VHPA partners, collaborators, or associated organizations, where comments may affect VHPA’s interests or reputation.

4. Media and Communication Channels CoveredFor purposes of this policy, “media” and “public communications” include, without limitation:

   newspapers, magazines, journals, and newsletters;
   television, radio, and digital broadcast platforms;
   websites, blogs, podcasts, livestreams, and online discussion forums;
   social media platforms, including but not limited to Facebook, X/Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, WhatsApp, Snapchat, LinkedIn, and similar platforms;
   letters to the editor, opinion pieces, bylined articles, guest columns, and public statements;
   interactions with reporters, journalists, documentarians, bloggers, or content creators at conferences, public programs, meetings, or events
   

5. Purpose of Centralized Media ReviewVHPA centralizes media communications in order to:

   maintain accuracy, consistency, and completeness of public information;
   protect VHPA’s legal, operational, and reputational interests;
   prevent unauthorized, misleading, incomplete, or inconsistent public statements;
   ensure that sensitive, confidential, internal, or legally significant matters are handled appropriately;
   support a unified and professional public voice for the organization.

6. Required Action Upon Receiving a Media InquiryIf any VHPA member, chapter, office bearer, volunteer, or representative is contacted by the media by phone, email, social media, text, or in person, that person shall:

   refrain from making any comment, statement, or commitment on behalf of VHPA;
   politely advise the requester that all media matters are handled through the VHPA Media Relations Team; and
   promptly forward the inquiry to the VHPA Media Relations Team.

7. ComplianceCompliance with this policy is mandatory for all VHPA members, office bearers, Governing Council members, chapters, volunteers, employees, and authorized representatives. Failure to comply may result in corrective action, including withdrawal of communication authority or other organizational action as deemed appropriate by VHPA leadership.

Download: VHPA_Media_and_Public_Communications_Policy