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What to Do If a Person Who Says They Are a Journalist/Reporter/News Anchor Approaches you at a BTS Concert Venue: A (Hopefully) Helpful Thread
First things first: you can absolutely say no. "No, thank you, I don't want to be interviewed," is perfectly polite and you don't have to say anything else. If they keep bothering you, tell them to leave you alone or you'll call security or the police.
If you are open to be interviewed:
1) Ask for credentials: if they tell you the name of their publication and you aren't familiar with it, ask for a business card AND look up the site. Give it a scan and decide if you think it looks legit or not.
1) Ask for credentials: if they tell you the name of their publication and you aren't familiar with it, ask for a business card AND look up the site. Give it a scan and decide if you think it looks legit or not.
If they don't have a business card, Google them and make sure that they really are who they say they are. Honestly, do this regardless. Check their credentials and the publication's before deciding to move forward.
2) Be smart: if you move forward with the interview process from there, hopefully everything will go smoothly. They'll ask a few questions re: personal info – name, age, where you're from, all of which is normal to have in an article, but you can decline to answer...
..if you feel uncomfortable. You *can* and *should* ask them about the angle of their story: is it just fan reactions, a trend piece about BTS, a bigger piece about K-pop, etc. Legit journos won't have any issue discussing this w/ you, but keep in mind this *could* change...
...depending on the rest of the info they get in other interviews, any events that happen in real time that impact the show or the news cycle, or based on what their editor decides they want after the fact.
Bottom line: if it sounds like a piece you'd read, go for it. If you think it sounds shady, say no thanks.
Once the journalist starts asking questions, really pay attention to what they're asking. Think the question through – feel free to take your time, you're not wasting theirs, their *job* is to wait for your answers – and do your best to answer thoughtfully.
(I suggest you don't fangirl – yes, you can admit that BTS are attractive men, but don't use that as the only reason you are ARMY. Talk about their lyrics, their production, their impact on society, their message, UNICEF – you know all this. They're way more than pretty faces.)
In the event that the journalist starts asking questions that seem weird or are full of rumors, allegations, or unsubstantiated news (death threats, dating, enlistment, drinking/drugs), say you don't know anything about it or that they should contact BigHit for a comment.
If it seems like that's the real intent of their piece, tell them that on second thought you'd rather not be included in the article. If they've taken photos or videos, ask them to delete it in front of you. If you signed a release, ask them to give it to you or delete it.*
*This depends on if it's a paper release or an e-release.
3) Know Your Rights: Hopefully everything is 100% okay and this doesn't happen, but if you end up respectfully asking not to be included in the piece and they refuse, make sure you have their name and publication saved somewhere – in the Notes app on your phone is a good spot.
Get on the publication site and look up the staff info to find their editor or publisher – normally it's at the bottom of the site, or in a drop down menu. If it's not there, look on LinkedIn for their name. Email/message their boss and tell them not to include you in the piece.
4) Have fun: If you agree to be interviewed, hopefully it's a professional, fun, exciting process. Most journos are not horrible people out to get you – they're doing their job & hopefully interacting w/ ARMY is a great experience fo them. Do your best to make sure it is.
5) Publication: When the piece is published, hopefully it's exactly as you hoped and you're represented accurately. If it is critical in any way, consider if it is fair before screaming online – if the criticism is fair, then the reporter has done their job. But if it isn't...
...and the piece turns out to be biased, xenophobic, or not what you were told it would be, reach out to the reporter/editor/publication and voice your disappointment. Feel free to do this on social media as well. That's the beauty of it – you can tell your side of the story.
Overall, keep in mind that reporters need *you* for the story and that you can say yes or no: you are actually in control of the situation, not them. They rely on what you say to bring legitimacy & life to their articles. So own that power, hype the guys, and have a blast.
I should note that all of this can and should be applied not just in person, but online as well, whether it be in DMs or interacting on the TL. Most reporters are looking for a story to pitch or have been assigned something on BTS – make sure the story they get is a good one.
Hi all! I expanded on this topic for @BTSARMY_Guide!
https://twitter.com/btsarmy_guide/status/1039276030744305664?s=21
https://twitter.com/btsarmy_guide/status/1039276030744305664?s=21
