What do you do if you are suddenly contacted by the press?

When you get a call, ask what it is about, what they want to know from you, what their deadline is. Tell them you will call back within that time. Organize your thoughts, look up things, consult. Write down a few things. A hierarchy in what you are going to say, the most important things first. If wording matters, and it always does, think about it in advance. Write it out. Keep it concise, but clear. If you feel like you said it, shut up.