Emergency ORM Response Checklist: Crisis Management for India
When a reputation crisis hits — a viral false post, a defamatory news article going national, or a coordinated attack — this is the 24-hour response checklist.
In This Guide
- 01First 2 Hours: Document and Assess
- 02Hours 2–6: Legal Engagement
- 03Hours 6–24: Platform Action
- 04Days 2–7: Resolution Track
First 2 Hours: Document and Assess
☐ Screenshot all harmful content with full-page screenshots including timestamps.
☐ Identify every platform where the content appears or has been shared.
☐ Assess reach: is this ranking on Google? Is it trending? How many shares/reposts?
☐ Identify the original source — the first post/article — versus shares and reposts.
☐ Do not respond publicly. Do not delete your own accounts or posts. Do not confront the poster.
Hours 2–6: Legal Engagement
☐ Contact RepuLex or your legal counsel immediately. Provide all screenshots and URLs.
☐ Brief your PR team or communications lead in parallel — message alignment is critical.
☐ Decide on legal strategy: platform Grievance Officer complaint + legal notice + court order (fastest for severe cases).
☐ If the content makes false criminal allegations, simultaneously explore a criminal complaint to establish the record.
Hours 6–24: Platform Action
☐ File formal Grievance Officer complaints on all platforms where the content appears — not report-abuse clicks.
☐ Send legal notice to the original poster if identified.
☐ Send legal notice to Google and Bing demanding de-indexing if the content is ranking.
☐ If a court order is being sought, provide the advocate with all documentation for same-day or next-day filing.
Days 2–7: Resolution Track
☐ Follow up with platforms on Grievance Officer complaint status — escalate non-compliance.
☐ Serve any court order obtained on all relevant parties.
☐ Verify removal from platforms and confirm de-indexing from Google Search Console.
☐ Prepare a factual counter-narrative (if appropriate) for distribution to stakeholders — clients, investors, media.
☐ Review search results daily and document any re-publication of removed content for contempt proceedings if necessary.