YOUR RIGHTS IN AN INTERVIEW
- Know what the general area of questioning is.
When requesting an interview a reporter should tell you what the interview is about.
Try to obtain as much detail as possible so you can adequately prepare. Tip – If a
reporter is vague about the subject area it is a sign that he or she wants to surprise
you with a question. Meet vagueness with questions like, “What exactly is your
subject of your questions?”
- Have adequate time to prepare for an interview.
If you need time to prepare, tell the reporter that you will be available in a
reasonable amount of time. Don’t allow yourself to feel pressured by an
approaching deadline. Deadlines are reporters problems, not yours.
- Expect a reporter to have a rudimentary knowledge of the subject area being
discussed
- Be quoted accurately and in context
- Refuse to answer questions that are hypothetical or personal in nature.
If a question has the words, “What if,” in it, your best answer is going to be, “I’m
sorry but I simply do not speculate.”
- Seek redress for a misquote or inaccuracy without damage to the
relationship.
Reporters don’t always get it right. When a mistake is made take your complaint to
the reporter first and then to the Editor, in a newspaper, or the Producer, in a
television newsroom
THE REPORTERS RIGHTS
- Timely access to a spokesperson
A reasonable request for an interview should be responded to quickly and
professionally.
Accurate answers wherever possible, plausible explanations when a question
cannot be answered. i.e. "I can't answer your question because a lawsuit is
pending in that matter."
- Help from you in the development of a story whether it's good or bad.
Reporters shouldn’t be your friend, but they are not the enemy when they are
gathering information about something you don’t like. If they are treated
professionally there is a greater chance for positive treatment in their report
The first amendment give the press special treatment that makes them immune to
damages for most mistakes. Remember, in America no one, not even Billy
Graham, gets positive publicity all the time.
David Hains Media Solutions offers individual and group training on crisis
communications.
YOUR RIGHTS IN AN INTERVIEW
by David Hains
Ever been called by a reporter requesting
an interview, or found yourself as a company
spokesman in a crisis situation because no
one else was available? Read on to
understand what to expect in one of these
pressure filled situations.
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