It is generally believed that the first 24 hours of a crisis are crucial because of the media’s need to know what happened so they can tell their audiences. There is an information vacuum that, if left unfilled, will be filled by others. The longer companies wait, the more likely falsehoods will become accepted as truths. The key is to be open, straight forward, and transparent. Tell the truth and tell it quickly. Telling the truth up front is the simplest and most effective way of defusing public hostility, no matter how bad the incident. Rather than being preoccupied with protecting itself from liability, a company must demonstrate a strong sense of integrity, responsibility, and commitment. Getting out in front of the crisis with honest account of the facts and accepting responsibility will build confidence and credibility with all stakeholders.