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Media Bias

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Media bias helped Spitzer’s rise to power

I wish journalists everywhere would read the column headlined “Spitzer’s Media Enablers” in yesterday’s Wall Street Journal.

It was written by Kimberley A. Strassel, who covered the well-publicized investigations of Eliot Spitzer, the former New York prosecutor and governor who fell from grace this week after hiring high-priced call girls. Strassel writes the Journal’s Potomac Watch column from Washington and is a member of the paper’s editorial board.

She builds a great case on how most reporters who covered him were his accomplices. Giddy with delight at his prosecution of Wall Street big-wigs, journalists felt obligated to run with whatever ”scoops” he handed to them without stopping to question whether he was using his power to punish and even destroy private citizens.

Journalists and ivory-tower professors spend hours and sometimes even entire industry conventions debating among themselves ethical issues such as how to cover politicians and others involved in sex crimes (see “Framing Your Spitzer Coverage: Issues and Questions”) and little time addressing the obvious bias the Wall Street Journal column discusses.

Posted In: Media Bias
posted On: 3/13/2008: 11:41 am: By Joan
Comments: 3 Comments

Media interviews frightening? This card deck will help

At times, I dislike doing media interviews, particularly with reporters at top-tier publications whose interview style makes me feel rushed, or I suspect the journalist is either dense or biased.

Crisis counselor Lou Hampton of the Hampton Group in Washington, D. C. says we don’t have to be afraid. He offers these six handy phrases to use during interviews:

“Let me repeat that, because it’s such a critical point…”
“One trend we see…”
“The key point is…”
“The bottom line is…”
“The one thing people need to realize…”
“What is especially exciting/surprising/unexpected…”

The phrases are included in Lou’s deck of Mem-cards, a package of 26 cards, each featuring a media tip for Hounds who interview. Use the cards as handy reference tools while you’re waiting in the green room on the “Today” show. They also make great gifts for clients—even if you’re on a budget. The cards are $9.97 per deck until August 31.

Posted In: Crisis Communications, How to Interview, Media Bias
posted On: 8/10/2007: 2:22 am: By Joan
Comments: No Comments

Media interviews: Balance of power has shifted to sources

If you’re involved in a news story and you’re afraid the media will misrepresent you, slant the news, or write it according to their own agenda, don’t refuse comment, thinking they’ll just go away and leave you alone.

As I’ve said so many times before, refusing an interview is akin to screaming “we’re guilty,” even if you aren’t.

Instead, do what many executives and other news sources are doing. Tell the journalist you will consent to an email interview. Howard Kurtz, media columnist at the Washington Post, says in a recent column that in the digital age, some executives and commentators are doing just that. An email interview gives them a permanent record of the exchange and makes it extremely unlikely they will be misquoted.

Others, who don’t want any communication whatsoever with journalists are simply saying, “You know what I think? Read my blog.” That’s a risky tactic. And a reporter still might be tempted to say “Joe Flibeetz refused comment.” But still, blogging, is a terrific way to let journalists research you and your topic.

In most cases, there’s nothing wrong with email interviews. In addition to having a permanent record of the discussion, you have time to craft a response.

If your company is faced with a crisis, however, like a major industrial accident, make your executives and PR people available for phone or face-to-face interviews, and train them beforehand on how to interview when the news is bad and how to improve accuracy in news stories. Being available to the media is more important than ever during a crisis.